A fax machine is the physical hardware built to send and receive a facsimile over a phone line, the exact piece of equipment Fax.Plus replaces.
- A fax machine is hardware that scans, transmits and receives fax documents through a compatible telephone connection; it may be standalone or built into a multifunction printer.
- Multifunction printers often build fax-machine hardware into the same unit as a scanner and printer.
- Fax.Plus sends and receives faxes from a browser, phone, or email, so no fax machine or phone line is needed on the user's end.
What Is a Fax Machine?
A fax machine is the physical device built to scan a paper document, convert it into a tone signal, and transmit that signal over a telephone line to another fax machine, which reassembles and prints a facsimile of the original document. Many modern machines combine this with a network scanner and a printer in a single multifunction unit.
What a Fax Machine Needs to Work
A traditional analog fax machine needs the hardware and a compatible telephone connection. On some VoIP services, an analog telephone adapter (ATA) can connect the device, but support depends on the machine, provider and configuration and should be tested. An ATA is not required for every fax machine or line. Older machines may still be labeled telefax.
Sending a Fax Without One
Fax.Plus removes the need for a fax machine, analog fax line or ATA at the user’s location. A document can be uploaded from a computer or phone and delivered to the recipient’s fax number. The recipient can still use a fax machine, and delivery can involve a telephone-network leg. For the full walkthrough, see sending a fax without owning the machine.
When replacing an existing office fax line, follow the checklist for replacing an office fax machine to plan the number, connected equipment and tests before cancelling the current service.
A Common Case: Replacing an Office Fax Machine
Consider a large software company in Florida with an aging fax machine used for occasional signed contracts from partners. It checks whether the number can be ported to Fax.Plus, configures and tests reception, and keeps its current service active until the transfer is confirmed complete. Email delivery depends on the selected workflow. It retires the machine and fax-only line only after confirming they serve no remaining needs.
FAQs
Do I need a fax machine to send a fax?
No. An online fax service like Fax.Plus sends and receives faxes over the internet, using a browser, mobile app, or email instead of a physical machine, phone line, or adapter.
What's the difference between a fax machine and a multifunction printer with fax capability?
A standalone fax machine only scans, transmits, and prints faxes. A multifunction printer combines that same fax hardware with a network scanner and printer in one unit, so it can also copy, scan to file, and print regular documents.
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