In business, as in life, habits are very hard to break. Over the years, the reliable old fax machine has become the standard way of sending faxes in most offices and workplaces. Despite a few paper jams or the occasional missed fax because of a busy signal, the old fax machine has worked out quite well.

There's no denying that fact, but is there a more efficient way to fax?

Everything changes, including the way we fax. Now, there is a new method of faxing called Internet Fax or Email Faxing. It simply means you use the web and your email system to send and receive your faxes. You sign up to an online fax service provider which handles all your faxes. There is no need for a second phone line and you can access your faxes anywhere, anytime. And yes, you can still send your faxes via the old fax machine.

Trying a new way of doing things takes some effort on the part of everyone. And like anything new, not everyone or every business has embraced this new technology. Is this a crucial mistake? Do you or your company really need Internet Fax?

The answer to that question probably lies in a topic that's familiar to all businesses: competition. If you're in a competitive business, will you be at the top of your game without Internet Fax? That's probably the real question you have to ask?

Internet Fax gives you the advantage of accessing your faxes 24/7, anywhere you have Internet access so you are not tied down to your office fax machine. This can be a great benefit to those working on the road or in the field such as traveling salespeople, managers, real estate agents, engineers, onsite building contractors... and the list goes on.

Having access to your faxes at all times can make you more competitive in a very competitive world. It will give you that slight edge that can make all the difference in a crucial deal or transaction. It's probably your call or business decision whether or not you go with Internet Fax.

Keep in mind, an Internet Fax service is relatively inexpensive and there is no need for a second phone line. There are many fax providers you can choose from such as MyFax, eFax, RapidFax, TrustFax, and Send2Fax. You should also look at some lesser known fax providers such as Faxage out of Denver and Metrofax out of Seattle; many times choosing a relatively smaller company can give you better individual service in that you or your company don't get lost in the crowd.

In addition, many companies and individuals like to consolidate all their phone/fax services into one provider. RingCentral is a popular choice since it gives you virtual phone and fax services all rolled into one.

Like choosing any business service, it pays to shop around. You must find the service plan that suits your needs and budget. Internet Fax service plans range from the very modest $20 a year to around $10-$15 a month. Each plan will have a different number of faxes that you can send and receive. Rates are usually based on minutes with 5 cents per minute being the average cost. Multiple page faxes and International faxes will usually cost you more.

The question still remains, do you really need Internet Fax?

Since computers and the Internet are the wave of the future can your company or business remain truly competitive without Internet Fax? Again, this is your call or decision you have to make. It would mainly depend on how crucial faxing is to your business? Is faxing a vital element of your company? Does it play a part in generating new business or making sales? If so, then you may need Internet Fax just to stay in the game and remain competitive.

Many companies are switching over to Internet Fax or using it in addition to their current fax system. Considering the relatively inexpensive cost, this gives them the option of having access to their faxes at all times. For them going forward with Internet Fax is a wise business move on their part, one that will keep their company truly competitive in a very competitive world.

Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins