Discussion:Fax Over the Internet
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TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 23 April 2008 |
| Anyone have experience with these programs? I'm not keen on using a web based platform, but the cost seems cheaper then adding a land line, fax ribbons, and a fax machine. | |
| 23 April 2008 | |
| I use efax.com. Software is downloaded to your computer, and sending a fax is just like sending an email. You compose the cover page and "attach" the document you are faxing.
When you receive a fax, it is delivered to your email as a file attachment. I like it a lot. But it isn't perfect. If you want to fax a document that you only have in paper form, you have to scan it and save it on your computer first, then attach it to the fax. I've also noticed that delivery isn't instantaneous because the file has to go through efax. This has only been a problem when I'm on the phone with the IRS and need to fax a POA or other document to the representative I'm speaking with. Sometimes it takes 20 minutes with efax. Overall, I find it satisfactory. | |
| 23 April 2008 | |
| I use Winfax Pro in my computer to receive faxes from the fax line. Saves a lot of toner, etc. You can print to it and send faxes from any program that you would normally print from. For any paper fax I bought a cheap fax machine to use. Look for a "special" from Staples for this. Faxing is way down over the years and I doubt I'll do the internet faxing thing. :) | |
| April 23, 2008 | |
| Fax ribbons?
What about the security? Does it work just like email in that respect also? | |
RoyDaleOne (talk|edits) said: | 23 April 2008 |
| I also do what TaxFlake does, works great for me. I have an all-in-one copier, fax, scanner,
printer as a back up for the copier and printer so the fax part is just a bonus. | |
| April 23, 2008 | |
| I have a four-in-one as well, but I only have one phone line. It would be nicer to be able to do it all through the internet. I guess that answers my question about security. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 23 April 2008 |
| I'm glad you had your questions about security answered, especially since I have no idea what the answer is. I'm not 100% sure how all the programs work but they either send it as an attachment on an email, or just an email alerting you and the fax itself is on a secure server that you can access later.
CPADavid, thanks for the input. Efax doesn't look too bad, except for the security part. A little pricy. The real problem is that I don't have a land line. Thanks for the heads up on Winfax. I'm not too sold on the idea of All-In-Ones, so I'd probably just get a scanner. Fax Ribbons? Like ink or toner cartridges for fax machines. | |
| April 24, 2008 | |
| There's one company that charges a ridiculously low price of $1/month. I found it - FaxAway.com. It was recommended to me in a CPE class. The fax is delivered to the email address. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 24 April 2008 |
| Thanks for the link Natalie! That actually sounds like a reasonable rate. I really only need it to recieve faxes and I wasn't looking forward to paying $17-20/month to efax for the privilige. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 24 April 2008 |
| I wonder how things would work with a VoIP phone... | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 25 April 2008 |
| I think I'm going to go with VoIP and WinFax and scanner, or all-in-one. The only bad part of not using a stand alone fax or all-in-one is that you have to leave your computer on if you want to recieve faxs while away from the office.
FaxAway had really good pricing, but you could only have a 206 (Seattle area code) number. Vonage is the service I'd go with. It's a little pricy at 25/month for unlimited, but it's got a lot of features. Thanks for all the help folks! | |
| April 25, 2008 | |
| I forgot about the area code, Tin. The CPA who recommended it to me travels a lot, so it really didn't matter to him what the number was.
How many faxes do you receive in a month? When I first started, I left my fax machine (all in one) on all the time, but most of the faxes I received were from travel agencies. It didn't take too long before I started leaving my fax off most of the time. Now I only get about six faxes a year and only turn it on when someone calls me to tell they're going to send a fax. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 25 April 2008 |
| I estimate >100 pages at HRB during the season, but very few on my own, I think your description is very apt.
I had a call from a client a few days ago. They recieved a notice yadayadayada couldn't see me for couple of weeks. Would have been simpler just to fax it over and I could have handled it that day. | |
| April 25, 2008 | |
| Tin, in that case, I would try to have tried to have the client scan and email it. I realize there are some people who don't have scanners, but a lot of the time, if you just ask, they will remember that so-and-so has one in the other room. | |
