| Not every company has the resources to support | | | | is the heart of that job. However, not all |
| a fax machine. Most people might think that all | | | | businesses can afford to fill that position. Because |
| that is needed is to have a printer, supplied with | | | | receptionists are more prevalent in large |
| the right software, and hooked up to a phone line. | | | | companies, a workaround is required more in |
| Actually, much more is required. If an email fax | | | | terms of small business services. Most small |
| service is not used, there are many steps that | | | | businesses are too big to assume that every fax |
| must be added to the process. | | | | that might come in is intended for the same |
| For starters, the phone line used has to be a | | | | person. |
| dedicated line. One cannot afford to worry about | | | | This brings the debate full circle. Since fax |
| switching between using the line for faxes and for | | | | machines are so much trouble when there is not |
| talking to clients. There also has to be someone | | | | a specific employee tending to them on a regular |
| who can keep an eye on the machine, not only to | | | | basis, an alternative method is necessary. The |
| make sure it stays in working order, but also for | | | | best way to get around the need for fax |
| when faxes come in. | | | | machines is by hiring an email fax service. That |
| Ordinarily, this would be the job of a receptionist, | | | | can allow each individual to receive faxes online |
| because taking care of incoming communications | | | | and print up as many copies as are needed. |