Send a fax without owning a fax machine? What used to be unthinkable is now everyday. Online faxing makes it possible to send documents digitally while still arriving as a classic fax for the recipient. We explain how it works technically and why fax is still relevant today.
Whether you want to send a cancellation to your insurance company, forward a signed contract to your attorney, or fax a doctor's note to your employer - with online faxing you can do it in just a few minutes without owning a fax machine.
How does online faxing work technically?
Online faxing combines the advantages of the digital world with proven fax technology. Here is how the process works:
- 1. Upload: You upload your document (PDF, image, Word) to our server
- 2. Conversion: The document is converted into the fax format (TIFF)
- 3. Transmission: Our fax server dials the recipient's fax number over the telephone network
- 4. Reception: The recipient's fax machine prints the document - just like a normal fax
For you the process is fully digital - for the recipient a completely normal fax comes out of the device. The technology behind it is complex, operation could not be easier.
Online faxing vs. traditional fax: the differences
Why should you use online faxing instead of buying a classic fax machine? The benefits are compelling:
- No hardware: No fax machine, no paper, no toner, no telephone line
- Location-independent: Fax from anywhere - at home, on the go, or on vacation
- Available 24/7: Send faxes anytime, even at night or on weekends
- Digital proof: Delivery reports are automatically sent by email and archived
- More affordable: No purchase costs, no maintenance - you only pay per use
The only difference for the recipient: they do not notice any. The fax comes out of their device just like a classic fax.
When is fax still needed today?
Despite email and digital communication, fax is still standard or even required in many areas:
- Authorities and agencies: Registry offices, tax offices, immigration authorities often prefer fax
- Courts: Time-sensitive documents are often submitted by fax
- Healthcare: Doctors, hospitals, pharmacies often communicate by fax for privacy reasons
- Attorneys and notaries: Signed documents and powers of attorney are transmitted by fax
- Cancellations: Insurance companies, gyms, mobile carriers - fax is considered reliable proof of delivery
- Banks and financial institutions: Orders and approvals often require fax transmission
The reason: fax provides a delivery confirmation with proof that is recognized in court - unlike a simple email.