Fax Machine Functions

By Steve Repsys

Updated September 26, 2017

Fax machines have many functions.
i Fax/Printer buttons image by Jeffrey Zalesny from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

The history of telefacsimile machines, better known as fax machines, dates back to the 1800s. Early fax machines consisted of two pens attached to two pendulums that were joined together with wire. Presently, millions of businesses and homes have fax machines. Modern fax machines are used to send documents and photographs through a telephone line. Fax machines have many bells and whistles and have many functions.

Memory Function

Memory capacity is a vital function of a fax machine. The office machines have the memory to store pages that come in or go out. Memory capacity varies on the quality of the image. Memory functions include out-of-paper reception which allows incoming faxes to be stored if the machine runs out of paper. Quick scan allows a user to scan a long fax into memory before sending a transmission. The dual access function lets a user store a document in memory while the fax machine sends out a fax or is in receipt of a fax.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting lets a user transmit the same fax to multiple numbers at the same time. This function saves valuable time for users who do not have to key in numbers over and over again. Fax machines also have one-touch or speed-dial functions. These functions allow users to store frequently used numbers which helps to avoid dialing wrong fax numbers.

Transmission Verification

Earn peace of mind and keep accurate records with the transmission verification report function. This utility prints out a log of the date and time a fax was sent, the number of pages transmitted along with a confirmation that the fax was successfully sent. Fax machines also are capable of generating a partial image of the first page sent on the log sheet.

Convenience Functions

Fax machines also have other convenient functions. Prevent unwanted faxes from coming in and wasting paper and ink by using the junk fax blocking function. A fax machine is capable of remembering numbers that when programmed into the machine will be blocked from printing transmissions. Fax machines also have the capacity to distinguish between wanted faxes. Users can use the distinctive ring detection function to allocate specific ring tones to incoming fax numbers. This function allows a user to know what type of fax is incoming, whether if it is from a specific business or from a specific person. If a fax machine and phone share the same line, ring tones can be programmed to differentiate between an incoming phone call and fax message. Another convenience function is the auto redial. With auto redial, the fax machine will automatically redial a number if it receives a busy signal.

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