| You might think that all fax machines are more or less | | | | large volume. A fax machine that can transmit at |
| the same, but the difference between a good | | | | faster speeds - say 14,400 bits per second (bps) and |
| purchase and an ideal purchase is in the details. | | | | which uses the Modified Modified Read (MMR) |
| These days you are faced with massive range of fax | | | | compression standard will make sure that your faxes |
| machines from market-leading brands such as Canon | | | | will be sent at least 50 percent more quickly than 9,600 |
| and Panasonic. There are entry-level models or high | | | | bps system (assuming there is another 14,400 bps |
| usage, high specification internet-capable fax machines | | | | system at the other end. The result is lower phone bills |
| which double as office workflow systems. | | | | and better availability of the fax machine for all users. |
| Which Fax machine? - Some Basic Considerations | | | | 33,600 bps speeds are also available, making the |
| A major development over recent years has been to | | | | savings even greater over time. |
| demise of the thermal paper fax roll in favour of plain | | | | Other factors |
| paper systems. This has brought the twin huge | | | | Other important considerations are the available |
| benefits of no-fade document storage and avoids the | | | | memory in the fax machine, so that pages are not lost |
| need to maintain supplies of expensive thermal paper. | | | | if the fax runs out of paper, and perhaps a healthy |
| In terms of additional functionality such as speaker | | | | sized paper tray to reduce the risk of running out of |
| phones and digital answering machines, fax machines | | | | paper at times of unattended use - for example at |
| can offer such features as caller ID, auto redial, fax | | | | weekends or overnight. |
| forwarding, polling, and speed dialing. | | | | If you are planning a more radical overhaul of your |
| Transmission Speeds | | | | office equipment needs, now might be the time to |
| A major factor to consider when deciding on what | | | | consider and all-in-one device which will incorporate |
| price range to go for, is the planned usage for your | | | | fax functionality with print, copy and / or scanning |
| new fax machine. A lower-cost machine usually offers | | | | requirements. These so-called "multifunctional |
| slower transmission speeds, which is fine for | | | | devices"or "mfds" are offered by all major office |
| occasional use, but can become less acceptable for | | | | equipment suppliers. |
