| Everybody knows what a fax machine is and most | | | | Question: My office is huge, we have seventeen |
| people know that they have changed considerably | | | | attorneys and their secretaries plus interns who are |
| over the last 20 years. Now they are made as | | | | constantly using the fax machine for copies and faxes |
| combination printers, copiers, scanners. Some are still | | | | and it is always breaking down. What should I do? |
| using black thermal film, some use inkjet cartridges and | | | | Answer: A color laser multifunction machine that you |
| now some now use laser cartridges, plus you can | | | | can network to all the computers in your office is the |
| now send color as well as black. | | | | probable answer however you are best served to |
| Which is the best one to use? It depends on many | | | | confer with your IT professional and receive a couple |
| different questions; | | | | of quotes from office machine professionals who not |
| Question: I use a fax machine one to ten times a | | | | only sell, but know how to provide service in case of a |
| month and maybe make a copy once in a while, what | | | | problem****. You purchase these machines because |
| should I buy? | | | | time is money and your office will increase its |
| Answer: Honestly, they still make thermal roll, very | | | | productivity by over 15% just by having the right |
| simple to use, fax machines that start out at about | | | | machine and using it properly. |
| $75.00 each. The cartridges run about $24.00 for a | | | | *Every machine will come with a starter cartridge, |
| name brand or about $17.00 generic and at the rate | | | | which is ordinarily about half the size of the refills. The |
| you are using the machine you will probably get about | | | | best use of the starter cartrididge is to go ahead and |
| a years worth for one cartridge. When you purchase | | | | purchase the refill at the same time you buy the |
| a machine it will include a starter cartridge but it will | | | | machine and load it instead, mark the starter as the |
| probably only contain about one half of the size of the | | | | emergency refill and put in a nearby drawer. You |
| refills*. But be careful, because every fax you get or | | | | should always order only one cartridge ahead as you |
| copy you make and the roll will spin 11 inches, | | | | can never be sure when you will upgrade, and you |
| regardless of the content of the fax | | | | don't want stuck with an extra cartridge. They can be |
| Question: My office sends and receives around 100 | | | | impossible to return after a long period of time. |
| faxes each month some it color and we have a | | | | ** After about 5 years, most name brand machine |
| copier, do I need a laser fax machine to be able to | | | | manufacturers will sell their rights of OEM (Original |
| receive color? | | | | Equipment Merchandise) to the off brand |
| Answer: You probably could use a color laser fax | | | | manufacturers for their cartridges, this lowers your |
| machine; however an inkjet fax machine would be far | | | | price but offers you the same quality of the original. |
| less expensive to purchase. The ink is more expensive | | | | Inkjet refill are notorious for not working correctly in the |
| for the amount you get so your cost per fax will be | | | | first few years and this is because they are not OEM |
| higher. But they will produce quality color output faxes. | | | | but recycled refills. Whenever you purchase off brand |
| You should stick to the name brand cartridge until the | | | | merchandise make certain they come with a money |
| machine is about 5 years old**. | | | | back guarantee. Another little hint, big box stores use |
| Question: I have a fast paced office where the fax | | | | their own brand ink and toner for huge profit margins |
| machine is used as a copier, color is not an issue, but I | | | | so this is an item that should be purchased from a |
| am buying inkjet cartridges every week. | | | | smaller type of supplier, they are in your area. |
| Answer: Your answer is a monochrome laser fax | | | | ***Some manufacturers are very particular about their |
| machine. They are faster than inkjet models are and | | | | warranties and if you use an off brand while the |
| you will save in the long run on the toner. They have | | | | machine is still covered you could possibly be voiding |
| dropped in price since the advent of color laser fax | | | | the warranty and you do not want that to happen |
| machines and since color is not an issue you do not | | | | ****Buy your fine jewelry from a jeweler and buy your |
| need purchase the more expensive machine. You are | | | | most important office machines from a local to you |
| best advised to choose a model that has a high | | | | office machine specialist. They are in your area and |
| capacity cartridge choice. After the warranty expires, | | | | can be recommended by fellow businesses or the |
| you should at least try to use an off brand cartridge | | | | Better Business Bureau. |
| for further cost savings. *** | | | | |
