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Wonder what's going to happen to FAX machines when POTS lines become the exception, replaced by SIP and PRI?

-Hal

Faxes are on the way out, in favor of emails, or so they tell me.

Scanned email PDF's are becoming the norm , I got rid of my fax line and machine 4-5 years ago and I've only needed actually fax's twice and Kinko's worked just fine for me

We still have half a dozen faxes on POTS lines here, as well as eFax accounts.

But the question is how much are they used, for what and by whom? Do you have people there that TELL others to send you faxes?

I have one here too but I can't remember the last time I used it, its literally been years. Got rid of the dedicated line probably 5 years ago.

-Hal

I have found that the biggest users of Fax lines still are Doctors offices. This is even for offices that have gone all electronic for their documents.

Yeah, I think it's because they need to send scripts and receive requests for renewals through those automated systems that pharmacies use. I think all they can do is fax.

-Hal

hbiss, thanks for the update on the legality of the scanned signatures.
Things have changed for the better this time.

The CLEC I do contract work for, their CO switches put out -38VDC on hook, while the LEC in this area puts out -44VDC usually. Makes it easy for me to quick spot check whose circuit is whose before ANAC'ing the line (if it has POTS on it). I don't recall the amps they put out. So just be aware that each company may have different voltages.

We service a clinic that has 22 branches. Each branch has between 4 and 10 FAX lines and machines. I tried to get them to go with a multiport MultiTech Fax Finder only because all the units I have installed seem to be very tolerant of out of spec line voltages and currents. In addition, I thought they might like the idea of not having to print out every FAX and just view it as a .pdf email attachment. Boy, was I wrong. The doctors want paper and they want to know if came out of a FAX machine....period. So, I struggle with all the phone companies we have here in western PA to make the FAX machines work. Generally speaking, The Verizon and non Windstream LECs will provide the proper conditions. Sometimes, I have to "tweak" the situation with a Sandman conditioner, but, it isn't too bad yet.

I have had the conversation with the administrator regarding the end of POTS service at the larger clinic sites where Verizon is pushing hard for fiber and Windstream is, well, Windstream and, so far, they have no "in place" solution. They have been working on a system called Medical Manager that removes the need for FAX altogether. The system is all digital input and, some how, they can digitally certify an original document. The whole thing boils down to liability and if they can satisfy that, they can do away with the FAX machines.

Rcaman