Just this past year our fax usage has gone down considerably due to clients learning how to use their e-mail. I still have the odd time to use it. As part of our phone service this was a choice in our bundle. It is a virtual number and comes in on the same line as the phone line but rings differently. We then set the all in one printer to recognize the ring. Since it is not costing me anything I will keep it and see how it goes for another year but usage has really diminished.

On another note, I've been working so long I remember when we had to learn to use a "telex" machine and faxes were something we only dreamed of.

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

I don't think a fax is absolutely necessary in your start up. But I would consider one in the future; if you don't have alot of space try a combo copier/fax/scanner. Those have come in very handy for us.

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Tammy Chapman, Office Solutions
http://officesolutions.vpweb.com/

Thank you, Tomekia, Lynne, Bernice, and Tammy. I will figure out how to get my fax machine to work with an alternative to a direct line, or (most likely) go with a faxing service. I have a multi-function laser printer with fax capabilities, and also a fax machine (also another copy machine ). Being a new VA business, I wanted to see if this was one thing that I wouldn't need right away to cut down on expenses.

Quite a while back I had purchased a Dual Jack that is supposed to be able to let you have a fax (or other device) hooked up without an additional telephone line. The drawback is that I would have to use my home telephone number for this. A faxing service is looking better all the time. But not PamFax that works with Skype, that much I do know (PamFax doesn't work as it should!).

Thank you, ladies! You've been quite helpful.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Fax has not been a necessity for my virtual business. I went out and invested in a really nice scanner/fax/printer and have maybe used the fax part 2 or three times in the 2 years I've been a VA. I find that having eFax is sufficient enough. It will depend on your clients' needs though.

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Kasey P. Lian, Owner, KL Virtual Office Solutions
http://www.facebook.com/KLVirtualOfficeSolutions

Just in case you need two cents more: I have done business with and without a fax but now, I'm loving having a fax service.

I use FilesAnywhere www.filesanywhere.com for both my system backup and fax needs. It has been a lifesaver! I can email documents directly from it and share files. With the fax line, it's about $10/month. Otherwise, it's free with limited memory.

I absolutely love it and can access files/faxes even when I'm away from my computer.

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Kim Lynk www.virtualthingstodo.com

Tess, I had FaxZero, too, and it now doesn't work for me, either!

I have to change the contact info on my website and I'm GLAD I didn't have my biz cards/brochures printed yet...man, that ticks me off.

I'll look into some other services and find out what I can do...any other thoughts on free services?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Tess

I also don't have that many faxes to send or receive and nothing on a regular basis - so I have always used the free online options. FaxZero has been great for when I need to send. I had a free eFax account but it seems not to be working for me anymore

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I have a fax number number and it works out great for me. It is my phone number through my 3 in 1 printer, copier and fax machine.

Diane Clark

Hi Diane:

I have Vonage at home (www.vonage.com) and to add a fax number is around $10/month and since I don't have a strong need for one yet, I'm going to check into free services for now.

I'm going to see if there's some magic button on my new computer through Vista that will allow me to fax through my pc.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by dianeeclark

I have a fax number number and it works out great for me. It is my phone number through my 3 in 1 printer, copier and fax machine. Diane Clark

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

Great, sounds good it me, good luck.

Diane Clark

The number of faxes we send/receive has decreased in the last few years, but hasn't dwindled away to nothing mostly due to a number of clients who don't have PCs, and therefore rely on faxes for sending us work to type up or to receive emails that we handle on their behalf.

Tip: the amount of scrap paper we generated in the office went down when I installed fax software on my PC (I tend to be the most prolific faxer, it would seem) that allows me to 'print' documents straight to the fax machine.

Printing a document, faxing it, then stuffing it in the bin = stone age!