subject: Internet Fax Services: What Are The Benefits? [print this page] Internet Fax Services: What Are The Benefits?
We've all been there, haven't we? You desperately need to fax something and someone happens to be on the phone. Back in those days you had to wait for the phone line to be freed up, not anymore. Welcome to the 21st century, internet faxing has become more and more prevalent in recent years. It's quite simple and easy to set up and before you know it, you'll be off and running in no time. But first, a little history lesson on the humble and still-used facsimile machine.
The fax machine has it's origins dating back all the way to the 1840's. Alexander Bain (in 1846) and Frederick Bakewell (in 1851) created very primitive precursors to the modern fax machine. In 1861, Giovanni Caselli created the Pantelegraph. He was able to introduce the first telefax commercial service between Paris and Lyon (a total of 246 miles!) in 1865. It should be noted that this was 11 years before the advent of the telephone. Through many changes in technology and commerce, the fax machine went through many guises. In the 1970's the modern fax machine became a reality. Speeds were slow until phone lines were improved throughout the 1980's and 1990's.
In the present day phone lines are no longer needed. You can sign up to an internet faxing service where you'll be assigned a fax number which will change any faxes to you into a.pdf or other comparable file format. You'll be able to view the file right on your computer. They're usually attachments to an email that you'll receive when your fax arrives. You can send faxes in the same manner utilizing your email account. Just attach your file (assuming you have it in the acceptable format) to your email and off you go.
The benefits of this are wonderful, you won't have to worry about running out of paper. If you're a business and you tend to get a lot of faxes, the beauty of the online setup is that you can receive faxes simultaneously. No more staring at the fax machine waiting for another multi-page document to slowly creep in. And probably one of the best benefits, you won't find yourself in the scenario that started this article.
