Get  A  Fax

  I doubt that there is a purchasing department anywhere in the USA that doesn’t have access to a facsimile machine.   But there are still many small and new companies that do not have one.   Nor do they want to put the fax purchase at the top of priority list of capital acquisitions.   I would suggest that this philosophy be re-evaluated.

  Not only are the public purchasers using the fax to place orders, but so are your clients and your suppliers.   It’s a poor man’s EDI, computer and message machine. One solid contract will pay for the equipment.   When you purchase one, make sure it will automatically dial over to the fax or be on its own line.   Most units have a hand set that will allow you to use it as an extra voice phone when the fax is not in use.

  Many computers come with a fax board, but if yours doesn’t have one it can be added for about $99.   With these units you can read and discard, or print a hard copy on your computer printer.

  There are many sources of information available to individuals with fax units. In addition to the expediency of having someone provide you with a hard copy immediately, there are companies and service organizations with fax-on-demand unites capable of automatically sending material to you upon request - 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.   This includes brochures, application forms, plans, street directions and, of course, draft documents.   Many of these units allow the requester to use a regular phone to place the order.   But other fax-on-demand units require you to use the handset on your fax to select the appropriate options.   Some of these latter units place the long distance charges upon the requester’s fax unit.

  At any rate, having an in-house fax unit is absolutely mandatory for your success, whether you are in business for yourself or working for someone else.

© 1997 by Donald L. Woods, All Rights Reserved