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Why Faxing Is Relevant For International Business Transactions

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It surprises some people to learn that faxing is still an important tool for communications in global business, especially internationally. Faxing still provides one of the best ways to transmit legally binding and legally compliant documents between parties. 

The evolution of digital internet solutions has given international fax systems a new layer of security and protection. 

Industries that rely on traceable, trackable, verifiable document transmission rely on fax and international fax to maintain compliance across borders and ensure efficient, effective and reliable transactions. Let’s explore how international fax is helping smooth global business transactions. 

Understanding International Faxing

International faxing is the process of transmitting documents between countries, either via a traditional analogue fax system or a modern online digital fax solution, like eFax. Faxes are transmitted between borders using country codes, area codes and fax numbers. 

For example, to send a fax from the USA to the UK you would dial the outbound international code, in this case 00, than the country code for the UK, 44, then the area code for the city you’re faxing to, ie: 20, and then the seven digit fax number. 

Why Businesses Rely on International Faxing

International fax remains relevant even in the digital age because of its unique properties, including: 

  • Legal compliance: The biggest reason businesses use international fax to transmit documents is that of legal compliance. In most countries, a faxed document is considered as if it were the original document, giving fax senders and receivers an immutable trail of the document. This is important for contracts and other critical business transactions. 
  • Security: Businesses also rely on international faxing for its enhanced security protocols. Emails and internet chat are susceptible to interception and hacking, while encrypted fax solutions protect sensitive data in transmission. 
  • Traceability: International faxes have a confirmation system so you know that your fax was received and when. 
  • Universal access: Even now, internet access is limited in some places. International faxing makes it seamless to communicate between countries and regions even if there’s no internet access. 

What to Know Before Sending an International Fax

While it’s extremely easy to send a fax overseas, especially with an online fax solution like eFax, there are some things to consider before you send. 

These include: 

  • Making sure you’re using the correct international dialling code, also known as the country code. These are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and are usually two-digit numbers that rout your fax to the right country. 
  • Check the charges and costs. International fax charges differ by country, and depending on which system you’re using to send your fax. Make sure you understand the costs before sending a fax between countries. 
  • Consider time zones. While you can send a fax anytime, it’s important to note that an office in Europe will likely be closed by the time you send a late afternoon fax from the USA. Be mindful of the office hours and time zones of countries you’re sending faxes to. 

How to Send a Fax Around the Globe

There are two main options for transmitting faxes internationally: 

  • Send a fax using a traditional analogue fax machine 
  • Send a fax using an online fax solution over the internet 

In both of these instances you will need the full international fax number. From a traditional fax machine, simply load your document into the machine, and dial the fax number including outbound international prefix (00), and the country code, area code, and fax number. 

From your internet fax solution, you will also enter these numbers, but you can send any image file or document from your internet-connected desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device. 

Simply: 

  • Open your online fax app or web portal 
  • Create a new fax 
  • Add your documents 
  • Send 

Not only are digital fax solutions more cost effective and convenient, but these internet fax solutions let you set up numbers in different countries, so your contacts can easily fax you without international fax charges. 

8 Best Practices for Effortless International Faxing

These tips will help you send international faxes easily, safely and reliably every time. Best practices for international faxing include: 

  1. Check the number: Because international fax numbers are longer it can be easy to mis-key a number. Double check your fax numbers before you send your faxes to make sure they get to the right recipient. 
  2. Use a cover sheet: A cover sheet adds a layer of protection to your fax. It also helps make sure that your fax reaches the right recipient and prompts unintended receivers to respond appropriately by destroying the document. 
    Key cover sheet data should include:
    • The intended recipient’s contact information
    • Your contact information so that they know who sent the fax
    • The number of fax pages to expect 
    • Any specific directions for what the fax is for or how it is intended to be read 
  3. Make sure your document is legible: A clearly readable document is critical to make sure your document is transmitted as intended. Heavy images, dark ink or tightly packed text make your fax less readable at the other end. 
  4. Pay attention to time zones: Remember that most countries operate in different time zones. Send your fax when the recipient’s office is open to make sure it’s handled promptly. 
  5. Take note of public holidays: Just as different time zones can result in missed faxes, so can holidays. Take note of holidays and office hours for the region you’re sending a fax to and avoid missed faxes. 
  6. Make sure your contact is set up to receive international faxes: In some countries it costs more to receive a fax from overseas, and not all users have this function set up in their service. Double check before you send to make sure the recipient can receive your fax. 
  7. Check any local regulations: If you’re sending sensitive data or private information make sure the fax solution you’re using is compliant with the local regulations and policies for this sort of transmission. 
  8. Confirm receipt: Make sure that your fax service provides a sent and received confirmation, and if not, follow up with an email or phone call to make sure your fax made it to the other end. 

Using these tips will result in seamless international communication. 

Why Online Faxing is the Best Option for International Faxing

Online faxing allows senders to send to any digital or analogue fax number, anywhere in the world with ease. It’s a more reliable and user-friendly fax solution than analogue faxing for a number of reasons, like: 

  • Online faxing is cheaper: No more fax machine, landline, fax paper, toner and other costs associated with traditional fax systems 
  • Online faxing is more secure: End-to-end TLS encryption and other methods make digital fax solutions even more secure than analogue counterparts. Sensitive information is transmitted to secure online portals that let organizations maintain compliance with data protection and privacy laws around the world 
  • Online fax integrates seamlessly into your office workflow: Digital fax solutions like eFax integrate with Microsoft Office, Google Business Suite, email and other common office platforms so you can send and receive faxes more efficiently, saving you time and money. 
  • Online faxes allow for better document management: Digital fax solutions make it easier to track and trace your faxes and store faxed documents in your online, cloud-based portal. This ensures reliable and verifiable document management and streamlines the transmission of documents. 

Online faxing also lets you send or receive faxes from any internet connected device, helping improve the accessibility and timeliness of faxing no matter where you are. 

This streamlined, cost-effective fax solution is a game changer for any organization that sends faxes overseas. 

Fax Securely Anywhere, Anytime, Across the Globe – Get Started with eFax Today!

Internet fax solutions are the best and easiest way to send and receive international faxes. The eFax online fax service is the best option for any business, individual or group that needs to transmit international faxes for a variety of reasons. 

eFax complies with a wide variety of data and privacy protection laws across the globe, including HIPAA in the USA and GDPR in Europe. It also offers a variety of integrated fax solutions including print-to-fax through the eFax desktop app for Windows, mobile apps and a secure online web portal for faxing. 

Your sent and received documents are stored in a secure, cloud-based storage system that offers tagging and sorting features to help you track and maintain documents, so you can resend older faxes or check which documents you sent and when. 

There are a range of cost-effective and useful plans with features tailored to a variety of industries including finance, healthcare and law, making eFax a ready-made solution for most faxing needs. Our pricing structure is simple and affordable, with scalable options that grow with your business. 

Trust eFax for a reliable, user-friendly and convenient international fax solution! 

FAQ’s Around International Faxing

Is international faxing secure?

Yes, international faxing through an online fax solutions like eFax is secure. That’s because these systems use end-to-end encryption to protect your sensitive documents in transmission. Many countries view faxed documents in the same light as original paperwork. 

How do I send an international fax? 

To send international fax documents you’ll need a digital or traditional internet fax service, plus the full fax number including the area code of the entity  you want to send an international fax to. From there, simply input the international fax number into your chosen solution and send your documents. That’s how to fax internationally with ease. 

How much does it cost to send an international fax?

International fax services vary in pricing depending on the country you’re sending a fax too and the fax solution you’re using. Costs could vary from a few cents to 10s of dollars depending on the destination, size and fax service. 

What is an international fax number?

An international fax number is a phone number that allows you to send faxes to someone overseas. 

Can I send an international fax to a mobile phone number?

You can send an international fax to a mobile phone number if the recipient has configured their mobile number in their online fax solution. In most cases though, you can only send a fax to a fax number. 

How do I choose an online fax service for faxing internationally?

Wondering how to fax internationally and which service to use? Look for a reputable solution that offers secure transmissions and clear, affordable pricing. Solutions like eFax include features like document management and the ability to send international fax documents with ease. 

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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eFax Blog

The Role of Faxing in Legal Evidence: Why It’s Still Used in Courtrooms

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Faxing remains a trusted and heavily relied on communication method for highly regulated sectors like the legal industry. Faxing legal evidence remains critical to securely sharing case material and personal information with other legal professionals. 

However, returning to the office to send a fax is laborious and time-consuming for lawyers. So modern tools that enable online cloud faxing make the process faster and more efficient, enabling legal professionals to send and receive faxes anytime and on any device.

Why Is Faxing Still Relevant in Courtrooms Today?

The role of faxing in legal evidence remains highly relevant in courtrooms today. Attorneys, lawyers and paralegals use faxing to securely transmit legal documents and ensure all required parties can access the necessary information. There are also situations in which the court or a government agency mandates that law firms share documents via fax.

Additionally, many law firms rely on faxing to help their employees gain secure, immediate access to their legal documents and case files. The technology is also assisting legal organizations in reducing the amount of paper they use and digitizing their approach, rather than having rooms filled with boxes of paper files.

Key Benefits of Using Faxing for Legal and Courtroom Work

Legal faxing in courtroom work offers a wide range of benefits for legal firms and their employees. The benefits of faxing a legal evidence document include: 

Greater Productivity 

Traditionally, legal professionals who had to share critical legal files via fax had to go into their office and use a fax machine that was likely in high demand with their colleagues. They’d likely get frustrated by replacing ink cartridges or fixing paper jams before sending their fax message. Online faxing removes these challenges and simplifies the process by quickly taking a photo of a document and sharing it with clients and colleagues.

Secure Faxing

Online faxing provides a highly secure option for legal professionals to share critical data and documents with clients and colleagues. Law firms often deal with highly sensitive information they are required by law to protect according to data privacy rules and regulations. Online faxing services ensure all faxed data and documents are secure through encryption, which ensures that only the intended recipient can read the contents of a message.

Environmentally Friendly

Legal firms are under pressure to become more eco-friendly, waste less energy and use less paper. Online faxing enables them to meet communication requirements while being more environmentally friendly. That means no more printing and scanning documents to share via fax, and no more rooms filled with endless piles of boxes packed full of paper documents. 

Enhanced Workflows

Online faxing enables legal firms to automate tasks like sending documents to multiple people and sorting out their filing. It also removes the need for time-consuming manual processes, enabling legal firms to automatically archive and organize documents and make files more discoverable.

Simplified Document Filing

Searching through masses of boxes to find one document required for a court case can be frustrating and time-consuming for legal teams. Online fax services provide mobile apps that allow users to search for a specific document, immediately open it on their device and share the file with their contacts.

Saving Money, Space and Time

Removing reliance on fax machines enables legal firms to make better use of their office space and remove the costs and time associated with traditional faxing. Firms no longer need to worry about spending money on maintaining fax machines or keeping them topped up with office supplies like ink, paper and toner. That allows them to reallocate that budget to other projects that deliver greater business value.

Regulatory Compliance

Legal firms are bound by the rules of regulatory policies and federal acts like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Online faxing services make it easier for companies to comply with these regulations, allowing legal professionals to focus on their legal work.

Are Fax Copies Considered Legal Documents in Court?

Faxed copies are frequently admissible as legal documents for use in court cases. Fax technology reduces tampering risk, so courts will typically allow a faxed copy of a document as legally binding. That said, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, the role of faxing in legal evidence varies in every country or state and the specific local government agency. Not all institutions or agencies will accept scanned copies, so it’s best to check first and prepare beforehand.

5 Best Practices for Faxing Legal Documents

Securely faxing legal documents for use in courtroom cases relies on following various best practices. Legal faxing in courtroom best practices include:

1. Document Preparation

It’s crucial to prepare documents efficiently to ensure they’re admissible as legal evidence. This includes using clean and clear original documents free of smudges, stains or unclear text, removing staples and paper clips, aligning and ordering pages correctly and using high resolution to ensure maximum copy quality.

2. Create a Cover Sheet

Adding a cover sheet to the front of legal documentation is critical to protecting critical data and ensuring the message is only read by the intended recipient. A cover sheet should include information like the sender’s name, address and email address, the recipient’s contact details, the time and date the message was sent, the total number of pages being sent and an overview of the contents of the fax message.

3. Check the Fax Number

Before hitting send, double-check that the recipient’s fax number has been entered correctly. The fax number should be entered in the ‘To’ field, but mistyping the number could result in sensitive documents being sent to an unauthorized individual.

4. Verify the Fax Transmission

When a fax message has been sent successfully, an online faxing service sends confirmation with details like the time and date and the fax number the message was sent to. Also, keep a backup copy of the sent fax and, if required, call the recipient to ensure they received the entire message and that all pages are clear and legible to remove any delays.

5. Secure All Legal Fax Communication

All legal documentation shared by fax must be protected using security technologies. Ensure all sent fax messages are secured by encryption, preventing unauthorized individuals from reading the message even if they gain access. Also, consider using electronic signatures to reduce cybersecurity risk and a secure cloud service to protect all stored fax communication.

How Online Faxing Meets the Needs of Modern Law Practices

Legal firms and courtroom professionals can transform their working processes while protecting highly sensitive documentation through online faxing. Taxing their fax communication online meets the needs of modern law firms by:

  • Enhancing Workflows: Online faxing automates time-consuming manual tasks, such as faxing multiple contacts and organizing and archiving legal documentation.
  • Remote Working: Legal professionals are no longer bound to their offices to share sensitive data with clients and colleagues via fax. They can send and receive fax messages at any time and from anywhere.
  • Time Saving: Busy legal professionals can save time using online faxing, massively reducing the time it takes to send and receive faxes and removing the need to wait for legal documents to be signed.
  • Secure Faxing: Legal firms can be assured that all their faxing in court is secure by encrypting all sent and received communication. Safeguarding fax communication with online faxing reduces the risk of malicious threats.

Experience Secure and Compliant Legal Faxing with eFax

Online faxing service eFax ensures legal firms enjoy secure and compliant legal faxing in courtroom situations. The benefits of legal professionals using eFax include:

Compliance Assured: eFax provides automated workflows and reporting tools that help legal firms secure all their data. The solution fully complies with legal regulations and requirements to keep data accurate and updated.

Legal Document Security: eFax is committed to helping legal firms protect their sensitive documents and files. eFax protects sent and received faxes with the highest grade encryption standards.

Scalability: eFax provides legal firms with all the tools to remain competitive and grow their businesses. The service protects all saved data, offers seamless integration and streamlines file-sharing processes.

Reliability Guaranteed: eFax is dedicated to helping legal firms deliver every fax transaction successfully. The service guarantees consistency and performance for users and 24/7 server uptime ensures faxes can be sent and received anytime and anywhere.

FAQs Around Legal Faxing 

Add the following FAQs with appropriate answers using some of the secondary keywords mentioned above:

Are faxed documents legally valid?

Yes, faxed documents are legally valid and can be admissible for faxing in court.

How does legal faxing work?

Legal faxing works by allowing attorneys, lawyers and courtroom staff to engage in faxing legal evidence. Legal professionals can easily send and receive legal documents on any device using an online faxing service.

Can faxed signatures be used in court?

Yes, faxed signatures can be used as legal faxing in courtroom evidence. However, the validity of faxed copies can vary in different states, countries and government agencies.

How secure is legal faxing for confidential information?

The role of faxing in legal evidence is a highly secure method for sharing confidential information. Online faxing solutions like eFax are critical to sending and receiving sensitive legal documents as they secure messages using the highest grade of encryption technology.

What are the advantages of using legal faxing over email?

Faxing a legal evidence document enables legal professionals to guarantee that only their intended recipient can read the message’s contents. Email communication is often easily intercepted by hackers, but online faxing solutions like eFax secure messages using encryption.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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Why Faxing Is Critical for Secure Communication in the Insurance Industry

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An increasingly complex regulatory landscape means insurance firms must tackle multiple overlapping privacy and security regulations. Companies must securely receive, share and store vast quantities of sensitive data to prevent revealing an individual’s identity without their consent.

Read on to discover why faxing is still important for insurance companies.

Why Secure Communication is Non-Negotiable in Insurance

Faxing is essential for secure communications in insurance, protecting critical data and documents at all times. The insurance industry deals with highly sensitive information, including data that may contain personal identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI) and customers’ financial details. Protecting this information is not optional; it’s a compliance and reputational requirement to keep it safe when stored on file and in transit.

The Compliance-Heavy Landscape of the Insurance Industry

However, those requirements can be made more challenging by the rules and regulations that insurance firms are bound by. For example, insurance firms’ activities are regulated by strict laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects health insurance data, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), which safeguards financial information, and the industry-specific National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Model Security Law and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS). They may also be bound by state-specific laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), New York SHIELD and NAIC’s Model Security Law, and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if they have European customers.

Suffering data breaches due to failing to comply with these stringent regulations can have severe consequences, including:

  • Fines, lawsuits and and potentially criminal charges.
  • A loss of customer trust.
  • Reputational damage that could be difficult to rebuild.

Organizations must understand what data they collect and process, and the specific regulations that apply to them. Sharing sensitive data puts security and compliance at risk if malicious actors intercept messages sent via email or social messaging tools. However, online faxing provides insurance firms with a more secure alternative. 

HIPAA compliant faxing for insurance companies protects sensitive information using encryption, which ensures a message can only be read by the intended recipient, even if an unauthorized individual manages to intercept it.

Why Faxing Remains a Trusted Communication Method for Insurance Agencies

Sharing sensitive information, such as PHI and PII, via email or social messaging tools can leave insurance firms vulnerable to security risks like data theft, phishing and spam. So they need an alternative that’s secure by design and automatically protects their sensitive data. 

Online faxing provides a wide range of benefits for insurance firms, including:

Boost Security and Compliance

Online faxing provides enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption, which ensures secure communication in insurance. Digital faxing services meet the relevant compliance requirements of regulations like GLBA, HIPAA and PCI-DSS, and log every sent and received fax message for auditing purposes. Online faxing also allows insurance firms to take control of which individuals have access to fax messages and customer data and helps them better monitor access and permission rights.

Enhanced Productivity

Online faxing makes it easy for insurance firm employees to send and receive faxes at any time and on any device. It removes the need for people to rely on physical fax machines, which are prone to time-consuming errors like paper jams or running out of paper, ink and toner. Instead, users can easily send and receive faxes via an online faxing service’s web browser and mobile app or integrated third-party tools.

Cost-Saving

Online faxing eliminates the costs associated with traditional faxing. It removes the need to purchase fax machines, keep them stocked up with office supplies like paper, ink and toner and shell out for costly equipment maintenance. Taking faxing online also reduces the time employees spend waiting for faxes, freeing up employees to be more efficient and spend more time on tasks that add business value.

Better Customer Experiences

In addition to benefiting insurance firms and their agents, online faxing in insurance enhances their customer experience. Insurance agents can send and receive documents more quickly, avoiding errors, downtime between messages and gradually speed up the process of handling customer queries. Furthermore, customers no longer require access to a fax machine, which ensures smoother interactions and increased customer satisfaction.

Common Use Cases of Faxing in Insurance Companies

Insurance companies use online faxing in various situations, from customer inquiries to submitting legal documentation. Fax compliance insurance use cases include: 

Claims Submissions

Insurance agents often use faxing to carry out claims submissions on behalf of clients. This process includes gathering and verifying data from multiple sources, including images of damaged items, medical information and police reports to investigate and process claims. 

Medical Exchanges

Online faxing enables insurance agents to efficiently communicate with healthcare providers regarding medical claims. It allows them to quickly exchange details, such as claim forms and medical reports, with healthcare professionals to verify a patient’s claim.

Sharing Financial Information

Insurance agents can use fax to securely transmit documents containing financial details, submit international transactions and request customer signatures.

Legal Notices

Communication between lawyers, courtroom staff and insurers can be slow and time-consuming. But online faxing speeds up the process, allowing all parties to easily share and sign legal documentation.

Policy Underwriting

Digital faxing solutions are crucial to making policy underwriting more efficient. Insurance firms can securely and quickly share confidential information with brokers and customers.

How Modern Cloud Faxing Enhances Security and Efficiency

Modern faxing solutions have brought the security and efficiency of traditional faxing, which is heavily relied on by highly-regulated industries like the insurance sector, into the world of digital communication. Cloud-based faxing enables insurance firms to send and receive faxes anytime, anywhere and on any device. As a result, it combines old-school security with the modern convenience of online messaging.

Cloud faxing benefits insurance firms with solutions like:

Secure Cloud Storage

Online faxing solutions provide secure cloud storage for insurance firms to store all their sent and received fax messages. Safe storage is crucial for auditing purposes and helping insurance agents quickly find and share data with customers, law firms, medical professionals and law enforcement.

Regulatory Compliance

Online faxing services make it easier for insurance professionals to securely send and receive fax messages anytime, ensuring they comply with necessary data privacy and security regulations. They boost compliance with regulations like HIPAA and Systems and Organization Controls 2 (SOC2), empowering employees to share sensitive data without concerns around legal repercussions.

Platform Integration

Online faxing solutions are easily integrated with existing technology infrastructure, such as customer relationship management systems (CRMs), document management platforms and email systems. This helps insurance companies to streamline workflow efficiency, improve employee productivity and better manage the flow of information across the organization.

Mobile Faxing

A significant hindrance of traditional faxing was that employees had to go into the office to share sensitive documents. Online faxing solutions provide mobile apps that allow users to send and receive faxes on any device at any time. Now, entire teams can work remotely and better serve the needs of their customers. 

eFax: The Secure and Compliant Faxing Solution for Insurance Professionals

eFax provides a complete secure communication in insurance solution that helps users send and receive sensitive data whenever and wherever they need to. The benefits of eFax for fax compliance insurance include:

Regulatory Compliance: eFax was designed to meet the most stringent rules and standards set out by regulations like HIPAA and GLBA. The online faxing service guarantees the highest protection of insurance firms’ client data and business communications.

Enterprise Security: Security is at the forefront of the eFax solution, providing enterprise-grade encryption, authentication and access control to protect sensitive insurance information. 

Cost Reduction: eFax removes the need to purchase and maintain physical fax machines and keep them stocked with office supplies. It also provides flexible, transparent plans free of hidden fees or unexpected charges, allowing insurance firms to enjoy predictable cost structures.

Unlimited Cloud Storage: With eFax, insurance firms can store unlimited amounts of sent and received faxes in the cloud. The system enables agents to quickly discover the information they need to deal with claims as efficiently as possible.

Tech Interoperability: eFax is easy to integrate with insurance firms’ existing tech stacks, including CRMs, email systems and collaboration tools. This makes it easy for agents to securely share sensitive data with clients and colleagues.

Employee Productivity: eFax enhances collaboration and productivity with near-instant data sharing, meaning no more long queues to send a fax. The solution enables insurance agents to send and receive fax messages and review, sign and respond to claims regardless of their location.

FAQs Around Faxing for Insurance Industry

What types of insurance documents are typically faxed?

Insurance firms typically share documents like claims forms, policy declarations, medical notes and police reports via fax. These documents are used to quickly assess and verify claims.

How does faxing help insurance companies stay compliant with regulations like HIPAA and GLBA?

Faxing in insurance is crucial to compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GLBA by protecting sensitive data with security tools like encryption, access controls and authentication. 

Can faxing be integrated into digital workflows for insurance agencies?

Yes, fax compliance insurance can be integrated into companies’ existing tech stacks, including tools like CRMs, email systems and other collaboration platforms. 

Is mobile faxing secure enough for insurance operations?

Yes, messages sent via mobile faxing are protected by enterprise-grade encryption. This ensures HIPAA compliant faxing for insurance companies.

How can faxing increase efficiency in insurance claim processing?

Online faxing enables insurance firms to speed up claims processing, enabling agents to send and receive faxes at any time and on any device. In addition to improving secure communication in insurance, online faxing services help employees be more productive and efficient.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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Thanks to the power of the internet, many business tasks and communications that once were physical can now be completed online, even sending and receiving faxes. Even though online faxing has become the new convenient standard in workplaces, there is still a risk of cyber threats.

It’s critical to ensure that your faxes are secure when you send and receive them and while your data is at rest (in cloud storage). Secure faxing keeps your business compliant with audits and regulatory requirements and prevents data breaches and fines.

In this blog post, we’ll go over how to know if your online fax system is exposed to cyber threats, how to safeguard yourself and your business from online faxing security risks, best practices for strengthening your fax system against cyber attacks, and how to choose the right online fax service to keep your business secure. 

Is Your Online Fax System Exposed to Cyber Threats?

You’ve heard of bad actors and phishing schemes. Did you know that online fax systems can also be exposed to cyber threats? While companies have moved from email to cloud-server-based faxing systems to increase communication security, a recent hacking method called “faxploit” has been discovered as a potential risk.

This cybersecurity risk allows hackers to gain access to your physical fax machine by sending the fax machine some code that the hardware believes is an image. Then, the bad actors can take control of your fax machine to stop inbound and outbound faxes, slowing your business operations down. Since a fax machine doesn’t have a firewall, antivirus software, or other security measures, the fax machine alone can’t prevent malicious programs from gaining access to your network of business computers and IT systems.

In other words, your old physical fax machine can effectively become an unlocked backdoor, allowing hackers to enter without your knowledge.

Other cybersecurity risks associated with faxing include weak login passwords, which can be compromised by keyboard stroke monitoring or brute force, and outdated software lacking the security patches required to avoid data breaches and malware infections. 

How to Safeguard Yourself From Cybersecurity Threats While Faxing Online

So, how can you protect yourself and your business from cybersecurity threats while still benefiting from online faxing? Here are seven ways you can safeguard your sensitive information in an online fax environment:

  1. Encrypt your faxes. When you encrypt your faxes, from device to delivery, you ensure that anyone who accesses your document without permission won’t be able to easily read it. 
  2. Verify your recipients. Make sure you have the right recipient before you send your fax. This keeps your fax from landing in unintended hands.
  3. Use electronic signatures. Digital signatures are another way to secure your faxes. They require actual signatures on the documents, which helps keep them secure.
  4. Apply server protection. If your business has an internal server, make sure you’re taking the right steps to protect it from cyberattacks. Ensure any software is upgraded to the most recent versions, employ access control and permissions, and use firewall protection.
  5. Secure your devices. In addition to server protection, you should secure your devices. Limit device access to only authorized people, keep your laptops and mobile phones locked, use strong passwords, and install anti-virus software.
  6. Store your documents in the cloud.
  7. Protect your wireless networks. Change the default password and router name to something specific to your business, keep the router’s software updated, and set business policies that discourage employees from connecting to wireless hotspots.

5 Best Practices for Strengthening Fax Security Against Cybersecurity Threats

When you’re sending and receiving faxes using an online fax service, you should know the best ways to strengthen your fax security. Here are five best practices to safeguard your online fax configuration in a cybersecurity landscape:

  1. When you evaluate online fax solutions, select a service provider with a reputation for security. Some features the service offers should include are end-to-end encryption, secure servers, and HTTPS protocol.
  2. Always use a fax cover page. Confidentiality statements are critical for faxes containing sensitive information. 
  3. Verify you have the correct recipient information, including their fax number and name.
  4. Complete regular security maintenance – keep your fax software updated, rotate old passwords for new ones, and routinely train your employees on secure faxing practices.
  5. If you need to step away from your computer, make sure you log out of your online fax account.

Essential Compliance Standards and Regulations for Secure Online Faxing

Certain industries must comply with strict regulations and compliance standards when sending and receiving documents via fax. These regulations are critical to ensuring that documents are confidential and that transmitted data isn’t intercepted. Below, we’ll list the different industries that have increased compliance standards and regulations for online faxing:

Healthcare

HIPAA is the strictest and most well-known law in healthcare in the United States. Its purpose is to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) secure and out of the wrong hands. 

Financial Institutions

Financial institutions are held to strict security regulations, with several laws in effect in the United States:

  • The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a US law requiring financial institutions to protect the non-public personal information (NPI) of consumers. This means that online fax solutions also need to be GLBA compliant.
  • For companies that are publicly traded, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SBA) requires that businesses maintain accurate and reliable reports on their finances.
  • The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires that businesses conducting credit card transactions encrypt and securely handle cardholder data.

Legal Offices

Law offices are held to confidentiality and attorney-client privilege security standards. This means that any online fax solutions must ensure the privacy and security of any client communications, contracts, court documents, and more. 

Government

Governments are bound by many strict security regulations:

  • Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requires government agencies to adopt and document an information security program throughout their agencies.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines help federal agencies determine that their information systems are secure.
  • In the European Union, citizens’ data must be protected by the regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Top Cybersecurity Factors to Consider When Choosing a Secure Online Faxing Service

Given all of the information we’ve provided so far, you can see why choosing a secure online faxing service is so important. Here are the factors that you should consider when you’re selecting the right online fax service for your business:

  • Security protocols: Make sure the online faxing service provides security features like two-factor authentication, role-based access control, and encryption of data at rest and in transit. 
  • Privacy law compliance: All businesses should ensure the online faxing service they choose is fully compliant with privacy laws like HIPAA and GDPR.
  • Electronic signatures: A secure online faxing service must offer electronic signatures, which let you validate and authenticate documents you send and receive. 

Experience Hassle-Free, Secure Faxing with eFax – Start Today

eFax is the right choice for your business as a secure online fax service. eFax offers the following security features:

  • Highest encryption: With eFax, you get access to trusted encryption protocols, 256-bit AES, and SSL. These encryption methods keep your faxes secure.
  • 99% server uptime: eFax promises nearly 100% server uptime, which means your faxes are safe and you can count on access.
  • Technical support: If you need help with any security or compliance questions, eFax technical support is available 24/7 to help.
  • Regulatory compliance: eFax Protect provides even more security features with regulatory compliance, with HIPAA, SOX, and GLBA support.
  • Finance and education sector support: eFax Corporate contains all of the security features of eFax Protect, with additional PCI and FERPA compliance for finance and education sectors.

FAQs Around Faxing and Cybersecurity 

Here are some answers to the frequently asked questions about faxing and cybersecurity.

How can I protect my faxes from being intercepted?

You’ll want to add several layers of security in order to keep your faxes from being intercepted. For a physical fax machine, install it in an area that you can easily secure and allow limited access. Don’t let faxes sit in a printer tray; instead, fetch them as soon as they’re printed. To add even more security to your faxes, consider switching to a secure online faxing service.

How does encryption keep my faxes safe?

Think of encryption like a word scrambler for your information. When you send an encrypted fax, the fax service turns your text into a format that is unreadable by humans. The receiving fax service is given a key that can unscramble the text. Most fax services offer TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption.

Can I send faxes securely over the internet?

Yes, when you use an online fax service that is vetted and offers security features like encryption, secure storage, access control, and audit trails.

What are the risks of using public networks for sending faxes?

Sending faxes using public networks, like WiFi connections you’ll find in cafes, airports, or hotels, comes with cybersecurity risks. Eavesdropping (bad actors intercepting communications), man-in-the-middle attacks, and data logging are some cybersecurity attacks that hackers can use on a public network. 

How can I protect my fax system from cyberattacks?

Use a secure physical location for your fax machine with limited access, perform regular software maintenance, and use a dedicated phone line for physical fax machines. For online fax service providers, choose reputable providers, protect your account with strong passwords, educate your employees on phishing and other scams, and install encryption features.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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Despite the growth of digital communication tools, many organizations still rely on outdated, on-premise fax systems. These legacy systems often involve physical fax machines, analog phone lines and on-site servers. 

While they may have worked well in the past, maintaining them today comes with growing risks and costs. Legacy fax infrastructure isn’t just expensive and inefficient. It’s also incompatible with today’s business needs. 

As more companies embrace digital transformation, cloud-based faxing is a practical and strategic solution. This guide walks you through why traditional faxing is becoming obsolete, the benefits of transitioning to cloud fax and what to expect from the cloud migration process.

Why Legacy Fax Systems Are Becoming Obsolete

Old fax systems might seem dependable. But, with today’s technology, they can create more problems than they solve. 

Here’s why so many companies are phasing out paper fax systems:

  • High maintenance costs
  • No easy scalability
  • Hardware failures 
  • Security issues
  • Poor disaster recovery 

Physical fax machines and servers require regular upkeep, repairs and IT support, which can be costly. This doesn’t even include the cost of a single fax machine, which can be up to $500. And, adding new users or office locations often means installing more equipment or reconfiguring your entire network.

Plus, machines break down. As parts become harder to find, downtime increases. Meanwhile, older systems lack modern encryption and security updates, which can put sensitive data at risk.

Finally, in the event of a system crash or natural disaster, legacy systems can’t guarantee access to your fax records. On the contrary, digital systems can help you maintain your documents in the cloud. 

As these issues add up, so do the operational and compliance risks. So, more businesses are choosing to migrate to cloud fax.

5 Key Benefits of Migrating to Cloud-Based Fax

When you migrate your legacy fax system to the cloud, you simplify your workflows and reduce your overhead. 

Here are five top benefits of cloud fax migration

  1. Lower costs: You no longer have to purchase, maintain or replace physical fax machines or servers. Cloud-based faxing uses your internet connection and reduces costs tied to phone lines and hardware.
  2. Stronger security: A good cloud fax provider offers end-to-end encryption, HIPAA-compliant transmissions, and secure cloud storage to protect data in transit and at rest.
  3. Greater flexibility: Cloud fax lets your team send and receive faxes from anywhere using email, a web portal, or a mobile app. This supports hybrid and remote work models.
  4. Scalability: You can easily add new users, departments, or office locations without buying new machines or updating wiring. Growth becomes seamless.
  5. Improved reliability: Cloud services include built-in redundancy and automatic backups. This means less downtime and better disaster recovery compared to legacy systems.

Together, these advantages make cloud fax a smarter, more future-ready solution for modern business communication. To see more, learn the benefits of cloud faxing

How to Migrate Your Traditional Fax System to the Cloud

The cloud migration process doesn’t have to be overly-complicated. In fact, it may be much smoother than you expect. Here’s how to migrate your fax system to the cloud, step by step.

1. Assess Your Current Fax Environment

Begin by taking a full inventory of your existing fax setup. Count all physical fax machines, analog phone lines, fax servers, and software systems currently in use. Track your monthly fax volume to understand capacity needs. 

Document which departments or workflows depend on faxing (for example, HR, billing or legal). Then, review your regulatory environment to identify any compliance, privacy or retention rules tied in to fax communication. This baseline will guide your requirements during the transition.

2. Define Your Faxing Needs

Once you understand your current setup, determine what your business needs from a cloud fax system. Make a list of users, departments or office locations that need access. Identify must-have features like secure document storage, electronic signatures, custom routing or detailed audit trails

Think about how your team works. Will they fax through email, a mobile app, or desktop platform? If you have industry-specific systems (like EMRs or CRMs), consider whether you’ll need integration with those tools.

3. Choose a Cloud Fax Provider

Use your list of needs to evaluate and compare cloud fax vendors. Look for a provider that offers strong encryption, secure data centers and compliance with your industry’s regulations. Check if the solution can scale with your business and supports integration with your existing software stack. 

Pay attention to the user interface, admin controls and reporting features. Read customer reviews, request a product demo and ask about implementation timelines and support availability before signing up.

4. Develop a Migration Plan

Work with your chosen provider to build a detailed migration plan. The plan should include technical setup, configuration and change management steps. 

Typical phases of cloud fax migration include:

  • Account creation and user provisioning
  • System and workflow configuration
  • Porting existing fax numbers (if applicable)
  • Internal training sessions for end-users
  • Testing to confirm functionality and reliability

Establish a realistic timeline, assign roles and schedule check-ins to monitor progress and resolve issues as they come up.

5. Transition Gradually

Avoid shutting down your legacy fax system overnight. Instead, run both systems in parallel for a defined period. This is often called a “hybrid transition,” and lets users test the new system in real scenarios while falling back on the old one if needed. 

It also gives IT staff time to address unexpected issues, gather feedback and make adjustments before fully committing to the new setup.

6. Retire Legacy Systems

Once your team is fully using the cloud fax system and no longer relies on the old infrastructure, you can begin the retirement process. Cancel unused phone lines and fax numbers, disconnect and dispose of physical machines and decommission any on-site fax servers. 

Wipe all data from retired devices in accordance with your company’s security policies. Don’t forget to update your documentation and internal directories to reflect the new system. 

Choosing the Right Cloud Fax Provider Before Migration

The provider you choose plays a big role in how smoothly your migration goes. 

Here are key features to look for when selecting a cloud fax solution:

  • Security and Compliance
  • Reliability
  • Scalability
  • Integration Support
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support

When choosing a cloud fax provider, look for built-in encryption, access controls and compliance with industry standards like HIPAA, GDPR or SOX. Pick a provider with 24/7 uptime and monitoring as well as service level agreements (SLAs). 

Keep in mind, your fax solution should grow with your business. So, ask about user limits, volume capacity and pricing tiers. And, look for options to connect cloud faxing with your email, document management or EHR systems.

You also need a good user interface and intuitive admin tools help teams onboard faster and reduce IT headaches. Moreover, choose a provider with responsive, knowledgeable support teams to help during and after migration.

Compare multiple vendors, ask for demos and check reviews before making your choice. To learn about a solution with everything you need, explore how the eFax platform can benefit your business.

eFax: The Trusted Cloud Fax Solution Your Business Needs

eFax is a top-rated cloud fax provider trusted by businesses around the world. 

When you transition to eFax, you get:

  • Secure, encrypted faxing that supports HIPAA, GDPR and other compliance needs
  • Easy-to-use interfaces via email, mobile apps and web portal
  • Keep your current fax numbers with global number portability
  • Scalable plans for teams of any size
  • Advanced tools like e-signatures, large file sharing and audit trails
  • Reliable uptime with built-in redundancy
  • Expert support throughout your cloud fax migration
  • Quick setup with minimal disruption

Thousands of organizations have already started to migrate their fax infrastructure to modern, digital cloud fax technology

FAQs Around Migrating Legacy Fax Systems

Is cloud faxing secure enough?

Yes. Cloud faxing uses encryption for data in transit and at rest, plus access controls and compliance support. It’s more secure than many legacy systems.

Is cloud fax cheaper than traditional fax?

In most cases, yes. You save on hardware, maintenance, phone lines and energy. Costs become more predictable with subscription pricing.

Can we keep our existing fax numbers after the migration?

Yes. Most cloud fax providers, including eFax, offer number porting so you don’t have to change your contact information.

How long does cloud fax migration usually take?

It depends on your organization’s size and complexity. Some migrations happen in days while others may take a few weeks. A phased rollout can help ease the transition.

What happens to old fax archives when you migrate to the cloud?

You can export and import archived faxes into your new system, or store them in secure cloud storage based on your retention needs. Talk to your provider about archive migration options.


If your business is ready to move forward with modern, digital communication, transitioning to cloud fax is a smart step. Get started with eFax today.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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eFax Blog

Fax Quality: Common Failures, Hidden Costs, and Quick Fixes

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When you use faxing to transmit important information, like documents and images, the quality of that fax is of utmost importance. How is fax quality measured? It comes down to fax resolution, which is measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the pixels per inch, the better quality the image or document, and the easier it is to read small text and make out details in transmitted pictures.

Another measurable factor in fax quality is transmission speed, which resolution directly impacts. Higher resolution faxes do take longer to transmit and require more bandwidth, but they are clearer. Low-resolution faxes travel faster but are harder to read and can result in a fuzzy or blurred image.

In this blog, we’ll cover the topic of fax quality and why maintaining high-resolution faxes is critical for your business. We’ll also go over ten common factors that can affect fax quality and ways you can improve it. We’ll conclude the article with frequently asked questions about fax quality and answers to all your burning queries.

Why Maintaining Fax Quality Is Crucial for Your Business

So, why is it so crucial that your business maintains fax quality? For starters, the quality of your faxes can have a positive or negative impact on how professional you appear. If your faxes are unreadable, you may have delayed communication or difficulty reaching clients. Here are more reasons why you should consider the quality of your faxes:

  1. Clear faxes encourage fast communication. With readable documents, you can avoid miscommunications and errors. 
  2. Legible communication instills confidence in your professionalism. No business wants to appear unprofessional. Unfortunately, illegible faxes can give the impression that your company doesn’t care about outside communication or lacks the skills to communicate clearly.
  3. Low-quality faxes waste time and resources. If you have to resend low-quality faxes multiple times, it wastes the time of your employees and clients and can even lead to missed deadlines, which means lost revenue.
  4. High-quality faxes keep your business compliant with industry standards. Staying compliant with regulations like HIPAA means you’re at a lower risk of incurring penalties or fines.
  5. Unreadable and slow faxes decrease productivity. When you’re stuck trying to make sense of an unreadable fax, you can’t move on to the next task. 

10 Common Factors Affecting Fax Quality

Knowing the ten common factors that affect fax quality can help you avoid them in your next fax transmission:

  1. Quality of the original document: Higher resolution documents result in sharper faxes. 
  2. Line noise and interference: Static, hums, clicks, or even buzzing can occur between the sender and receiver. 
  3. Speed of transmission: If a fax is sent too quickly, the transmission might end up mixed or unreadable. 
  4. Fax machine settings and compatibility: Modern fax machines have built-in settings that optimize a fax transmission, but you need to ensure the settings are compatible with the receiving machine.
  5. Paper quality: If you use poor-quality paper, it can result in blurred or smudged text and increase the risk of paper jams.
  6. Ink levels: Low ink levels can cause low-quality faxes with faded text or missing images.
  7. Connection quality: A poor connection can result in blurred or distorted text in the resulting document.
  8. Hardware: The two fax machines need to be compatible, otherwise, the result can be unreadable or distorted.
  9. User error: If you choose the wrong settings, your fax can have low-quality images and distorted text.
  10. Compression: Some compression methods reduce fax quality by causing image distortion or loss of detail.

6 Effective Ways to Improve Fax Quality

With knowledge of the above common factors for low fax quality, how can you increase fax quality and reliability? Here are six effective ways you can start today:

  1. Connect to a stable and reliable phone line. It’s ideal to use a dedicated fax line to prevent interference from other devices and reduce the chances of dropped faxes.
  2. Clean the scanner bed. Your fax machine scans documents before sending, so it’s important that the glass of the scanner is clear of any debris, dirt, or smudges.
  3. Select high-quality paper that is thicker and more durable than standard printer paper.
  4. Adjust the settings on your fax machine to the appropriate resolution for the documents you’re sending. Send a test fax to check that your settings are calibrated correctly.
  5. Check and replace ink and toner levels regularly. Your fax machine will likely notify you when levels are low, and you might notice faded text or images on your faxes.
  6. Use an online fax service to guarantee you’ll send and receive high-quality faxes, delivered straight to your email or a web browser.       

Enjoy Hassle-Free, High-Quality Faxing with eFax Products

eFax delivers documents as PDF files, which are typically high-resolution and suitable for professional use. While the PDFs are not compressed, the quality can depend on the original document’s resolution. However, eFax does not apply lossy compression that would degrade image quality.

When you make the switch, you can enjoy:

  • High-resolution faxing that does not compress images or lose details. eFax products deliver crisp PDF files that are professional and clear.
  • Delivery notifications mean you know exactly when your fax was delivered, meaning you can move on to the next task.
  • More space without the bulky physical fax machine, paper document storage, and clutter of ink and toner.
  • On-the-go communication with eFax on your smartphone, laptop, computer, or tablet. 
  • eFax Corporate offers cloud document storage so you can easily save your documents and search them later, or resurface them for an audit.
  • eFax Corporate utilizes secure and encrypted data at rest and in transit and is compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and other industry standard compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fax quality means the legibility and clarity of a faxed document, as determined by the receiving party. In a nutshell, it’s how sharp the text looks, how detailed the images are, and if there are no distortions, lines, or missing text/images.

Low resolution settings on the sending fax machine, bad quality of the original document, a dirty scanner, low ink or toner, and low quality paper can all contribute to a fax that’s blurry or hard to read.

Yes, internet speed can affect fax quality, with a faster internet connection allowing for quicker data transmission. A slow internet connection can cause errors, data loss, and timeouts.

The file format impacts fax quality because certain formats preserve image quality and formatting of the original document and some can appear pixelated or experience detail loss. Generally, PDF is the best format for faxing.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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Think faxing is a thing of the past? Not quite. While traditional fax machines may be collecting dust, the act of faxing is far from obsolete. In fact, modern businesses in legal, healthcare, and government spaces still rely on fax for one simple reason: it works.

This article will walk you through the surprising history of faxing, share 20 compelling fax facts, and show you where this secure communication tool is headed in 2025 and beyond.

The Evolution of Faxing Through the Decades

Faxing began long before most people think. The earliest patent was issued in 1843 to Scottish inventor Alexander Bain, whose chemical-based fax system (“Bain’s facsimile”) laid the foundation to transmit images over wires. In the early 1900s, the technology had improved enough to transmit photos for newspapers.

By the 1960s and 70s, corporate offices began using fax machines more regularly. The real boom came in the 1980s, when businesses large and small adopted them to send contracts, invoices and memos. These machines used analog phone lines to transmit data encoded into audio tones.

Fast forward to today, and faxing has mostly left behind clunky hardware. Cloud faxing, also called internet fax or online fax, uses secure web and app-based platforms to send and receive documents. With services like eFax, you can fax from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Plus, there are no busy signals or toner refills required.

Online faxing supports real-time delivery, digital archiving and encryption. It’s now built into workflows for everything from telehealth appointments to insurance claim processing.

The Top 20 Fax Facts You Should Know in 2025

Here are compelling fax machine facts and online fax trends that highlight how relevant faxing still is.

  1. The first fax machine predated the telephone.

Alexander Bain patented his original fax machine in 1843, which was 33 years before Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone in 1976.

2. Faxing is still required in U.S. healthcare.

Over 75% of healthcare providers use fax to share patient records, test results and referrals due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Learn more about modern HIPAA compliance needs.

3. Online faxing encrypts your documents.

Unlike email, electronic fax platforms offer end-to-end encryption and audit trails. This makes them ideal to send private information.

4. Fax machines are still widely used in Japan.

Despite tech advances, many Japanese offices and homes continue to rely on fax machines for both business and cultural reasons. 

5. Online faxing works without a landline.

Cloud fax tools like eFax only require an internet connection. So you don’t need a dedicated phone line or any bulky equipment.

6. Faxed signatures are legally binding.

In most countries, including the U.S., a faxed signature holds the same legal weight as an original, handwritten one. 

7. Faxing is used heavily in finance and law.

Industries handling sensitive documents still prefer faxing for its traceability, delivery confirmation, and compliance alignment. In fact, faxes may be more legally binding than email. 

8. You can fax directly from email.

With eFax, sending a fax is as easy as attaching a document to an email, entering your recipient’s fax address and hitting send. Learn more about faxing via email

9. Digital faxes reduce office waste.

Switching to online faxing helps businesses cut back on paper, ink and maintenance costs. In this way, it’s much more cost effective and eco-friendly than traditional faxing. 

10. Fax traffic is growing in compliance-heavy fields.

Government agencies, insurance providers and medical centers continue to rely on fax to meet strict privacy laws. Sectors like manufacturing, education and logistics also need fax for various uses. Explore an overview of the industries we serve.

11. Mobile fax apps let you fax from anywhere.

With cloud platforms, you can send or receive a fax while commuting, traveling or working from home. All you need is an internet connection and an eFax account to fax from nearly any device. Learn how to send and receive faxes online

12. You can port your fax number.

Don’t want to lose your old fax number? Most online fax providers support number porting. This means you can use your existing fax number to experience e-signatures, mobile access and cloud storage.  

13.. You can store faxes in the cloud.

With modern faxing, there is no need to print or file anything. You can store your incoming and outgoing electronic faxes securely online. With eFax, you can even store unlimited faxes

14. Faxing avoids email spam filters.

Since faxing bypasses email servers, it’s less likely your message will be blocked, filtered or lost. Spam filter algorithms tend to find fax more secure than email

15. You can automate fax workflows.

Application programming interfaces (APIs) allow businesses to plug faxing into existing systems like CRMs, EHRs and accounting tools. Explore eFax API documentation.  

16. Fax technology is growing, not shrinking.

The global cloud fax market is expected to grow to over $1.4 billion by 2026. For more insights, read the full solutions report

17. Online fax services support electronic signatures.

With electronic fax, there’s no need to print, sign, scan and resend signatures. Electronic signatures can be tracked, stored and shared via fax.

18. Fax machines still exist in many small offices.

While digital faxing dominates, thousands of businesses still use standalone fax machines every day. Learn how fax machines work (and why they’re still relevant).

19. You can schedule faxes for later.

eFax and similar tools let you set up fax deliveries ahead of time, which is ideal for after-hours communication. Explore how to automate fax workflows

20. NASA used fax tech to send images from space.

Early space agencies transmitted images of the moon and Mars using modified fax transmission technology. It was called the Uplink Text and Graphics System (TAGS)

Fax Trends 2025: The Shift from Fax Machines to Mobile Faxing

Modern businesses no longer need bulky hardware to fax. Mobile-first tools are replacing fax machines and offer a better way to share important documents.

In 2025, more organizations are:

  • Using fax APIs to automate document delivery.
  • Integrating fax tools into apps and software platforms.
  • Switching to cloud faxing for remote-friendly workflows.
  • Replacing machines to cut costs and increase security.

Cloud fax solutions give users real-time visibility, searchable records and encrypted storage. That makes faxing scalable across distributed teams. For example, a legal team can send a signed contract from a smartphone in one city and receive the confirmation in another.

Instead of treating fax as outdated tech, more businesses now see it as a secure messaging solution with modern features.

Step Into the Future of Digital Faxing with eFax

eFax gives businesses a modern way to replace the fax machine—without losing the reliability and security that makes it essential.

With eFax, you can:

  • Send and receive faxes by email. Just attach a file and send it to a fax number.
  • Use a mobile app or desktop platform. Fax anywhere, anytime.
  • Add digital signatures. No printing required.
  • Store documents in the cloud. Easily search and retrieve faxed documents.
  • Keep your number. Port your existing number to avoid disruption.
  • Stay compliant. eFax is built for HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulatory standards.

eFax is designed to work with the tools businesses already use. This includes Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce and more. You can automate routine faxing tasks, track delivery and reduce document errors with built-in checks and logs.

Whether you’re in legal, healthcare, insurance or education, eFax can improve how you send and receive sensitive information.

To experience the difference for yourself, sign up for an eFax account today

Frequently Asked Questions

Fax is short for “facsimile,” which means an exact copy. A fax machine or service sends an exact copy of a document to another location, typically over a phone or internet line.

NASA used fax-style technology to send early space photos from Mars and the moon. The systems compressed and transmitted image data over radio waves, which were decoded and printed back on Earth.

Yes, fax can be more reliable than email, especially when sending legal or medical documents. Email can be intercepted, flagged as spam or blocked. Faxing, especially cloud faxing, provides delivery confirmation and encryption that meet strict compliance standards.

Use an electronic fax service like eFax. It can encrypt your documents in transit and at rest, support multi-factor authentication and provide an audit trail of all sent and received documents.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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eFax Blog

Fax Workflow Automation in the Modern Digital Workplace

Compare All PlansStart Faxing Now

When it comes to business communications and document sharing, faxing has long reigned supreme as a stable and secure option. In recent years, however, changes in the telecommunication landscape have made it difficult for businesses to maintain traditional analog faxing as their document sharing tool. This change is due to several factors:

  • The FCC recently deregulated pricing for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), which can lead to price increases as carriers are no longer required to offer discounted rates.
  • Copper line maintenance for POTS is ending, which has resulted in providers like Verizon and AT&T dropping support for these types of services.

These changes implemented by the FCC have driven businesses toward digital faxing solutions, especially for enterprises that still rely on faxing. Highly-regulated industries like healthcare, banking, and law offices are switching to the automation of fax solutions as a cost-effective and secure way to share documents.

Fax Workflow Automation 101

Modern businesses need to know about fax workflow automation to increase efficiency, streamline document workflows, enhance security for sensitive documents, and reduce operational costs. These benefits from fax workflow automation mean that enterprises can increase profits by trimming the operational fat, and open their employees to focus on strategic initiatives and achieving business goals.

Below, you’ll learn the following:

  • what fax workflow automation is 
  • how it works
  • the benefits it can bring to your business 
  • how to set up fax workflow automation in your business.

What is Fax Workflow Automation?

Automated faxes are an alternative to physical, on-premises fax servers. They allow desktop computers connected to a company’s network to send and receive faxes. While fax servers use hardware and software that you must maintain, cloud-based automated faxes move all of the required technology to the cloud.

Fax workflow automation improves business communications by automating processes that were previously completed manually (e.g. staff who have to fax pages by volume). 

How does Fax Automation Work?

Fax automation works when you use a cloud-based fax solution. To start using fax automation, you’ll need to create digital versions of your paper documents using a scanner or mobile device (like a cell phone or tablet). Then, you can send the digital files over a secure connection at your company. The recipient gets the document as a digital file or an encrypted email, and they can store the file in the cloud or in-house server.

Benefits of Automating Fax Workflows

When you automate and optimize your communications at your organization, you get to reap the following benefits:

1. Save time and money

You can quickly reduce overhead costs by automating fax workflows. For example, if your company regularly sends out invoices, you can create a cloud fax template that contains the fields you typically use. Then, you can schedule the invoice to send out to the intended recipients. 

Another area where you’ll save money is in maintenance costs. There are no physical fax machines to maintain, no supplies to purchase, and you don’t need a designated physical space for equipment.

2. Better security and compliance

Automated fax workflows often use secure protocols when transmitting documents. End-to-end encryption, TLS, and HIPAA are just a few examples of the security and compliance enhancements that automated fax workflows offer.

3. Boost productivity and workforce efficiency

Because your workforce isn’t spending time on manual, time-consuming tasks, they can focus on the work that’s really important. Instead of a lawyer at your law firm spending time creating fax cover sheets for client contracts and waiting for a fax line to free up, that employee can automate the process and send a fax from their desk.

Setting Up Automated Fax Workflows: A Complete Walkthrough

You can set up automated fax workflows at your organization. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Identify your business needs. What’s your faxing volume? Do you need HIPAA compliance or enhanced security? What is your budget? Answering these types of questions will help you with the next step.
  2. Evaluate a few cloud fax services. Take your answers from step one into account as you try them.
  3. Create an implementation strategy for the automated fax system and set aside time to educate and train your employees.
  4. Set up an account in your cloud fax service and set up virtual fax number(s).
  5. Update your fax number on any website or media you own.

You’re now ready to start sending and receiving faxes through an automated fax workflow.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Fax Automation System

There are many factors you should consider when you shift from physical faxing to an automated faxing system, like the following:

Integration with other technology

It’s critical that your online fax solution can integrate with the tools and systems your organization already uses. When you can integrate a fax automation system, you can avoid duplication of work and manual data entry. You can also automate the sending, receiving, and routing of faxes. The best online fax solution will come with a robust API offering, allowing you to integrate the software.

Security and compliance offerings

Ensure that the fax automation system you choose offers security regulation compliance, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and FERPA. They should also offer standard encryption like TLS and 256-bit encryption.

Flexibility and scalability

The right digital fax platform will have flexible subscription plans that work with your current budget and fax volume needs. It’s also crucial that the platform is scalable, which means you can increase the fax volume and implementations as your business expands.

User-friendly interface

You should be able to easily understand and interact with the software you use to send and receive faxes. It should be clear and easy for your employees to create a fax cover sheet, template, then import contacts and create faxes. 

Reporting and analytics

An adequate fax automation system will come with reporting and analytics features, allowing you to track success metrics like fax usage, delivery performance, and trends.

Automate Your Fax Workflow Seamlessly with eFax

With eFax automation, you can unlock unparalleled efficiency and security:

  • Integrate seamlessly with existing tools. With eFax, you can effortlessly integrate with your existing email, cloud storage (like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive), and business applications (CRM, ERP) for a thoroughly automated document exchange workflow.
  • Enhance security and compliance. You’ll benefit from robust encryption, secure transmission protocols, and detailed audit trails, ensuring compliance with industry regulations (HIPAA, GDPR) and safeguarding sensitive data far beyond traditional fax machines. 
  • Scale your business with reliable technology. eFax handles varying fax volumes with ease, no need for physical lines or hardware. 
  • Reduce costs associated with paper, toner, and maintenance of physical fax machines. Eliminating these expenses leads to significant cost savings.
  • Increase workforce efficiency. Automate tasks like printing, sending and receiving faxes, and filing documents. Send documents from a mobile or internet-connected device to enhance flexibility.  
  • Leverage advanced features. Electronic signatures, sending large files, detailed reporting, and customizable cover pages help you further optimize your automated fax processes.

Fax Automation FAQs

Is fax workflow automation secure for handling sensitive information?

Yes, services like eFax offer secure environments for handling sensitive information. eFax transmits faxes using encryption protocols that keep data safe, and the digital files can’t be misplaced or intercepted.

Can fax automation integrate with my existing business systems?

Yes, solutions like eFax seamlessly integrate with existing business systems. These include email platforms, cloud document storage systems, CRM software, EHR software, and more through APIs.

What kind of documents can I automate with faxing?

You can automate documents like purchase orders, invoices, contracts, medical records, legal documents, financial statements, and any other document traditionally requiring faxing. eFax supports multiple file formats, including DOC, PDF, and PNG.

Do I need special equipment for fax automation?

No, you don’t need special equipment to use fax automation. All you need is an internet connection and a compatible device like a smartphone or computer.

How do I monitor and manage automated fax workflows?

You can use the eFax browser-based web portal or mobile app to monitor and manage your automated fax workflows. Use the portal to track fax statuses and view details like date, time, recipient, and number of pages. With its built-in inbox and outbox, you can easily manage all incoming and outgoing faxes. eFax maintains logs of all fax transmissions, which provide an audit trail record you can monitor.

Send and receive faxes in minutes.

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Is VoIP Fax Secure? How to Protect Your Business Communications

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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) faxing takes traditional analogue faxing online. VoIP faxing, just like VoIP telephony, grew in popularity in the 2010s thanks to its cost-effectiveness and versatility.

In Fax over VoIP services, a traditional fax machine is connected to a VoIP line using an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). With this connector installed, your fax works just like any other VoIP device. This system takes advantage of the lower cost of VoIP lines compared to traditional analogue phone lines. These lines are often referred to as public switched telephone network (PSTN) or plain-old telephone systems (POTS). 

A VoIP fax is basically the same as a traditional fax, but the fax data is sent over the internet via VoIP lines. VoIP fax differs from eFax Corporate® or internet faxing in that the fax signals are still sent in the same way as traditional faxing, whereas internet fax services encrypt fax data and distribute it through the internet just like any other data transmission. 

The problem with VoIP faxing is that it’s unreliable and insecure. Regulatory requirements like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) have stringent rules for transmitting sensitive data. 

Businesses at risk of data breaches or failures caused by insecure transmissions include:

  • Healthcare 
  • Finance 
  • Legal 
  • Government 
  • Corporate governance 

Organizations in these industries require robust security measures for any transmission, including fax. 

Why Your Business Needs Strong VoIP Security Measures

VoIP security breaches can substantially impact companies and organizations that handle sensitive documents and information. Clients, staff and other stakeholders trust organizations with personal data and confidential files. The leak of this data can cause loss of income, identity theft, corporate espionage and more. 

Insecure VoIP fax systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks like denial of service (DoS) attacks that shut down business communications and lock out companies from their business. 

These breaches can also lead to altered or incomplete data transmission that might lead to compromised data or even cause information to be corrupted before it is received. 

Lastly, the regulations we spoke of above include hefty financial penalties and sanctions. Insecure communications can result in breaches that lead to fines, loss of business and even loss of license in regulated industries. 

The Most Common VoIP Security Risks 

There are a few common issues and risks that can cause VoIP faxing trouble. They include: 

Call intercept 

Intercepted calls are a common issue with VoIP networks that don’t use end-to-end encryption protocols like Transport Layer Security (TLS) or  Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP). Unencrypted VoIP calls make it easy for bad actors to access your data while in transit. 

Malware attacks

Malware is another top security risk for VoIP fax systems. Malware types include: 

  • Trojan horses that use apparently legitimate software to infect your own systems
  • Ransomware that locks users out of system data or hijacks transmissions to extort money 
  • Spyware that logs data you transmit to steal sensitive information or secrets 

Brute force attacks

Brute force attacks include DoS attacks that overwhelm systems to cause them to fail and collapse, interrupting communications, as well as War Dialing attacks, where systems automatically dial VoIP numbers and scan the associated networks for vulnerabilities to exploit. 

Phishing attacks and social engineering 

Phishing attacks attempt to get users to open files or click links that install malware on their system or give access to bad actors. Phishing is the most common form of social engineering. Other forms might see people pretend to be someone they’re not to gain access to sensitive data. 

8 Best Practices to Safeguard Your VoIP Fax Systems

The good news is that you can mitigate the risks of a VoIP fax service by following some best practice tips. These are: 

1. Encrypt your VoIP systems

Encryption is the best way to protect your data in transmission. High-end encryption protocols like TLS make it much harder for bad actors to access the sensitive data in your faxes during transit. 

This prevents eavesdropping and interception while improving the reliability and integrity of your data. 

2. Authenticate with strong passwords and 2FA 

Strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) make it much more difficult for hackers to infiltrate your systems. They can also help warn you if someone does try to access your systems inappropriately. Secure, unique passwords help make your systems safer. 

3. Use a router with a firewall

While it’s easy to plug your fax machine and ATA directly into your VoIP network, this can make it vulnerable to external attack. A dedicated router with a built-in firewall helps fortify your network by hiding it from the internet at large. This security system blocks war dialing efforts and helps protect your network. 

4. Stay up to date 

Make sure your system is updated regularly with the latest security patches and upgrades. Regular updates and automatic updates help you maintain the maximum security for your software. This will help guard against viruses and other malware while also helping your system operate smoothly and reliably.

5. Monitor VoIP fax transmissions 

It’s important to keep an eye on the traffic through your VoIP system. A spike in traffic can demonstrate a breach. Advanced intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) can help identify any unusual or unexpected traffic in your network. Unwanted traffic can be a sign that your system is being used to send long-distance transmissions for free by a bad actor, or that there’s a malware program operating on your network. 

This is a proactive way to monitor your systems and promote security. 

6. Conduct regular training 

Security starts with staff. Educate and inform your team on the importance of VoIP Fax security and make sure they comply with strong password protocols and other best practices. 

Teach them how to identify and respond to phishing attacks or other social engineering attempts. Regular data management training is also a requirement in many data handling regulations, so it’s important to keep your team well-trained and informed. 

7. Implement advanced security for VoIP

Advanced security protocols like Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and Quality of Service (QoS) Policies help isolate your VoIP network and prioritize data sent through this service. This makes your call quality stronger, which helps prevent interception and improves the reliability of your data transmission. 

8. Conduct security reviews and audits 

Inspect your various procedures and systems regularly to make sure that your security protocols are being implemented and followed company-wide. Assess recent transmissions, perform internal security tests and drills and make sure that your systems are all in place and functioning as expected. 

These tips can help secure your VoIP systems. 

Effective Tools and Technologies to Safeguard VoIP Breaches 

In addition to the tips above, there are specific tools and technology designed for fax over VoIP services. These tools include:

  • Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol, or SRTP, ensures fax packets aren’t intercepted in transit by encrypting the fax data.
  • Session Initiation Protocol-Transport Layer Security offers a secure channel for your transmissions, kind of like a walled express lane on the highway. 
  • Intrusion Prevention Systems help block unwanted traffic to actively repel malware attacks and infiltrations. 

These tools and others are usually found in dedicated Unified Threat Management platforms. UTM platforms bundle an antivirus, intrusion prevention, firewall, VPN and web filtering into one software solution that protects your network. 

How eFax Corporate Is Revolutionizing VoIP Security Standards

Using fax over IP services is one way to move your faxing into the digital age. eFax Corporate takes digital faxing a step further by seamlessly integrating faxing into your existing workflows. 

The eFax Corporate cloud fax solution makes for better encryption, higher data integrity and more efficient faxing than fax over IP. It also requires less cost and less hardware. VoIP faxing still requires a fax machine, a dedicated VoIP line and consumables like fax paper and toner.  

An internet fax solution through eFax is more reliable and secure than VoIP systems because it uses state-of-the-art encryption to protect your data, and the same robust data transmission systems as other internet services to send your faxes. 

And, because of its cloud-based nature, eFax Corporate makes document management easier and more efficient. You can store, search and retrieve your documents from a secure online portal, and you’ll always know the status of sent faxes. 

In short, online fax solutions have replaced fax over IP services because they’re easier to use, cheaper, integrate more seamlessly with existing workflows and they’re more reliable. 

FAQs About VoIP Fax Security

Is fax over VoIP secure?

Many users wonder, “Is VoIP secure?”. The short answer is: it can be, if you follow the right protocols, use the right software and take steps to safeguard your VoIP fax systems. There are many factors in play that affect whether or not VoIP is secure, and it’s important to carefully assess and install your solution to safeguard your data. 

Is VoIP a security risk?

VoIP is a security risk if it’s set up poorly, if you don’t follow best practices for protecting against VoIP fax risks, and if you don’t encrypt your transmissions. Safe VoIP faxing is possible, but it requires following the VoIP fax security protocols outlined above.  

How can firewalls be configured to protect VoIP systems?

Firewalls can help you build secure VoIP faxing systems and ensure VoIP fax privacy by hiding your fax network from the outside world. Firewalls make it impossible for automated bots to scan your network and discover your fax machines with simple war dialing efforts or scans. Firewalls control data transmission to secure VoIP faxing. 

How can VoIP systems be protected against malware?

Anti-virus software, firewalls and regular security updates help prevent malware and virus intrusions into your VoIP fax network. 

Can hackers listen to VoIP calls?

Eavesdropping is one of the most common VoIP fax risks. It’s easy for hackers to intercept unencrypted VoIP calls and listen in to steal sensitive data. Encrypted communications and secure lines help to prevent this from happening. 

How frequently should VoIP passwords be updated for security?

The best practice is to update your VoIP passwords with strong, unique passwords at least once every 90 days. You should also consider using 2FA for an extra level of security against unauthorized access. 

Are mobile VoIP applications secure for general use?

The question “Is VoIP secure?” often comes down to the protocols and measures you put in place around your VoIP system. Mobile VoIP applications may be more vulnerable to malware due to the nature of smartphones and the way that we use mobile devices. With proper use and adherence to security protocols, mobile VoIP applications can be safe to use. 

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As the communications industry evolves, many organizations face a difficult decision whether to stick with their Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) or implement modern online solutions like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

POTS has been the backbone of business telephony for decades, using traditional copper wire infrastructure to guarantee performance. However, the biggest difference between POTS and VoIP is that the latter relies on the Internet to provide a wide range of flexible, reliable, cost-effective connectivity features. This article will help you compare POTS vs VoIP features, understand the difference between POTS and VoIP and how to seamlessly transition to the future of business communication.

Understanding Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) 

POTS is an analog voice transmission phone system built on physical copper wires and has been used in homes and businesses since the 1880s. The basic telephone service establishes a connection between two locations through the transmission of a phone call. The connection is routed over switches, enabling call participants to communicate with each other. Sound waves are converted into analog signals, carried through the network by copper wires and converted back into sound waves when they reach the receiver’s telephone.

Are POTS Lines Still Used by Businesses?

Some businesses still rely on POTS as the service is user-friendly, dependable and doesn’t rely on an active internet connection. They may retain systems that can’t upgrade to new technologies or have poor connectivity, making it vital to retain traditional POTS lines.

What is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)?

VoIP uses the Internet to connect phone calls rather than traditional phone lines or cellular networks. VoIP converts a user’s voice into digital data packets and signals transmitted across the Internet. The technology is compatible with any internet-connected device, from computers and laptops to smartphones and dedicated VoIP phones. VoIP services, including popular applications like FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp, are widely used by businesses, individuals and in enterprise communication as a cost-effective and more flexible alternative to traditional phone lines.

Key Advantages of using VoIP

VoIP offers many business benefits, from reducing costs to providing flexible communications. The benefits of VoIP over POTS include:

Cost reduction: Comparing POTS line vs VoIP systems delivers significant cost savings. VoIP systems can cut phone bills and remove the need to purchase and maintain traditional phone lines and expensive hardware.

Employee efficiency: VoIP enables employees to connect to phone calls from remote locations, such as their home, a cafe or an airport, allowing them to be as efficient as possible from any location.

Employee productivity: VoIP systems provide a rich mix of features like auto-attendant, call waiting and conference and video calling that make calls easier and help employees be more productive.

Number portability: VoIP numbers are fully portable, enabling employees to use the same phone number regardless of location. This feature is ideal for frequent travelers, making people accessible to clients and colleagues.

Audio quality: VoIP systems guarantee high call quality if users have a quick and steady internet connection.

Media sharing: VoIP systems don’t limit users to making phone calls. People can also share documents, images and videos, enabling them to have more in-depth and engaging meetings.

Tech stack integration: VoIP systems can integrate with your existing tech stack, including customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Also Read: POTS vs VoIP: Which One Is Better?

VOIP vs. POTS: A Detailed Comparison

If you’re mulling over POTS vs VoIP which is better, our detailed comparison between the two systems will guide your decision. Check out the table below to discover the POTS vs VoIP features and differences.

(See table)

10 Reasons Why Businesses Are Upgrading to VoIP from POTS 

The business benefits of POTS lines vs VoIP are convincing many companies to move away from traditional phone lines and embrace the internet-connected alternative. Indeed, the VoIP market is growing at 11.8% per year and is expected to be worth $236.25 billion by 2028, according to Research and Markets. Reasons for this VoIP POTS switch include:

1. Saving money: Many businesses are switching to VoIP due to the cost reduction benefits. The technology offers a much lower initial outlay and has minimal maintenance costs while removing the need to pay for premium phone calls.

2. Remote working: Employees increasingly want to work from home, in cafes or while traveling. VoIP enables people to work anytime and anywhere, removing the need for them to be constrained to their office desks.

3. Constant availability: VoIP enables employees to keep communicating and always be available to clients and colleagues. Even if a user is busy, a VoIP system can use missed call texting to automatically send a message to the caller.

4. Rich features: Traditional POTS systems limit users to making and receiving calls. However, with VoIP, people can do much more, including call waiting and forwarding, conferencing and video calls, and caller ID.

5. Scalability: VoIP allows you to scale operations to meet spikes in demand and traffic. Upgrading and extending POTS systems can be time-consuming and pricey, but VoIP makes it quick and easy.

6. Tech integration: Businesses increasingly rely on systems like CRMs to enhance their customer experience and make employees as productive as possible. VoIP systems can integrate with your existing stack, providing greater employee insight and directing incoming calls to the most appropriate person. 

7. Analytics and reporting: Call analytics and reporting can make your business more efficient than ever. VoIP systems enable deep insights into call activity, including the number of incoming and outgoing calls, call volume tracking and the source of calls.

8. Geographical flexibility: VoIP systems enable businesses to scale nationally and internationally without opening new offices. The cloud-based system uses virtual numbering, enabling calls to appear from local numbers regardless of where callers and customers are based.

9. Employee demand: Many businesses are turning to VoIP to satisfy demand from their employees and, often, their customers. Users increasingly demand that their employers provide access to the technology they’re comfortable using. So businesses are looking to VoIP to enable secure access to tools like FaceTime and WhatsApp.

10. Simple installation: A key reason businesses are moving to VoIP is the technology is simple to set up and manage. VoIP systems are easy to install and configure and often require no maintenance, whereas POTS lines can be challenging to operate and maintain.

The Complete Guide to Switching from POTS to VoIP

Switching from POTS lines to VoIP software is a simple process that can save your company significant time and money. Here’s a guide to making the VoIP POTS switch: 

Step 1: Ensure a strong, reliable internet connection

A strong internet connection is fundamental to a successful VoIP solution. Ensure your business has a stable, high-speed internet connection that allows employees to make clear calls that won’t disconnect. A VoIP call typically requires up to 100 kilobits per second of bandwidth, so conduct bandwidth tests to ensure your network can handle the system and upgrade the connection if needed.

Step 2: Outline your needs and objectives

Like any other technology, implementing a VoIP system relies on identifying the goals you want it to achieve. This will depend on how many employees will use the system, the features you need and the systems the VoIP will connect to. 

Step 3: Select the right VoIP provider

The next step is to assess the VoIP market and select a solution that best suits your needs and objectives. Trusted VoIP providers offer advanced features that help employees be as productive as possible and ensure you get the best value for money from the technology.

Step 4: Ensure the right equipment is in place

A VoIP system can only succeed if employees have the right tools. Consider purchasing VoIP phones and high-quality headsets or microphones, and ensure that remote employees have smartphones that can support the technology.

Step 5: Install and configure your VoIP system

VoIP software is straightforward to install, but ensures the system is easy to access, including for people who work remotely. Your VoIP provider will also allow you to install and set up additional features and download apps to help employees stay connected at all times. With the VoIP system installed, customize the settings to ensure it meets your objectives and simplify usability.

Step 6: Maximize security levels

There’s often a fine balance between security and usability, but it’s critical to protect your VoIP from the risk of cybercrime. Implement strict security settings, use tools like encryption and firewalls and use access controls to limit your risk.

Step 7: Test, refine and update

Test your VoIP system for call quality and stability and tweak the settings for the perfect setup. Carry out regular updates to keep the system aligned with your business requirements and maintain security levels.

Step 8: Employee training

The final step before launching your VoIP system is getting staff trained on the technology. Provide comprehensive employee training, including instructional sessions and hands-on workshops, to ensure all team members know how the technology works and can troubleshoot any issues. Consider running regular follow-up sessions and encourage staff to share feedback for improvement.

Also Read: POTS vs VoIP: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrade Your Workflow: Integrate eFax into Your VOIP System Today!

With your VoIP system up and running, it makes sense to support it with online faxing. An online faxing solution helps you securely send and receive critical files and business documents using your VoIP system without requiring physical fax machines or phone lines.

eFax is an online faxing solution that makes it easy for your employees to send and receive fax messages anytime, anywhere on any device. eFax uses industry-leading encryption technology to ensure all communication is highly secure and complies with data privacy and compliance regulations. The technology enables you to remove the costs of traditional fax technology, such as purchasing fax machines and supplies, and gain unlimited cloud storage. eFax integrates with best-in-class enterprise applications and workflows, such as email providers, social media services, collaboration tools and cloud storage solutions, enabling employees to be more productive than ever.

FAQs Around POTS and VoIP 

Are there any compatibility issues when switching from POTS to VoIP?

There can be compatibility issues when switching between POTS line vs VoIP systems if companies retain legacy technology and systems. 

Can VoIP handle multiple simultaneous calls like POTS?

A significant difference between POTS and VoIP is that a VoIP system enables you to handle multiple calls simultaneously and direct callers to the most appropriate customer service agent. 

How does VoIP handle outages or downtime compared to POTS?

VoIP vs POTS outage issues are a key differentiator. VoIP offers better business continuity than landline phones, such as backup systems that enable you to switch to alternative internet connections or mobile networks. 

Can VOIP work with existing phone systems?

A key POTS vs VoIP features difference is that VoIP systems can be integrated with your existing technology stack and phone systems. Integrating the technology with your existing systems provides greater business insight and enables you to easily handle spikes in traffic.

Which service has a longer lifespan, POTS or VOIP?

A key factor in POTS vs VoIP which is better is VoIP’s expected lifespan. VoIP relies on the Internet to connect phone calls, making it a strong long-term communications option. POTS uses an infrastructure that’s existed for nearly 150 years and may be phased out in the future.

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