Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

[Dougtech]

So far Toshiba rep has said no. I am used to needing a dedicated analog line for faxing or using iFax.

I have a construction company with no land lines that does not want to use online service like eServer, eFax, etc. They have VoIP system for their phones. Their IT has mentioned trying to use a 3G adapter which I don't know is possible.
Any experience or suggestions?

thanks

[rthonpm]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

It may be possible, but the additional variables that come into play really make it not worth supporting it. I've had some luck in the past setting up some Ricoh equipment to work with VOIP lines and a line filtre, but even then the success rate is only about 85%.

Faxing is not really a technology that's seeing a lot of advancement. It's time has come and gone, but old habits die hard so it's not going anywhere anytime soon, after all: look how long it took before telegrams actually died!

[ddude]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

If you will be supporting this setup, you should insist on using an analog line, otherwise you are asking for more headaches......

[TheOwl]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

Have a talk to their IT people and see if they would consider using an ATA Adapter.

These adapters turn an analogue line into a digital VOIP transmission / reception. They aren't garunteed to work, but it is always worth a try. Get the IT people to purchase and setup the ATA Adapter and all you have to do is then plug the line from the fax kit into the adapter and give it a whirl.

If they are running SIP for their VOIP, then you might have some troubles as some phone carriers don't support SIP as yet.

[ddude]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

Have a talk to their IT people and see if they would consider using an ATA Adapter.

These adapters turn an analogue line into a digital VOIP transmission / reception. They aren't garunteed to work, but it is always worth a try. Get the IT people to purchase and setup the ATA Adapter and all you have to do is then plug the line from the fax kit into the adapter and give it a whirl.

If they are running SIP for their VOIP, then you might have some troubles as some phone carriers don't support SIP as yet.

Yes very good,but again I must ask-who will support this? In my experience, when this attempt to force, or muscle in, a fix that will end up having a problem (as you point out

They aren't garunteed to work,

), I, as the copier expert, will be blamed for the failure, and my company's reputation will be suspect because I 'could not fix a problem with my copier', and the customer will now look elsewhere for a copier company that can fix my failure......imho, it's best to state in writing that 'THIS WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY UNLESS....' and then make sure that you can offer the right way to solve the issue-in this case an analog line would be the correct fix.

[TheOwl]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

You are there to fix their copier, not their phone lines. Like I said, get their IT people to purchase and install the ATA Adapter because that then makes them liable for phone line related issues.

The more expensive the ATA Adapter, the more configurable it is such as changing the TX level from the ATA Adapter instead of the machine.

If you are worried about the customer coming back on to yourself, then you might need to re-educate your customer as VOIP = IT. With that in mind, it gives you something to come back at your customer with.

[Dougtech]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

Thanks for the feedback. As they have a "network support services" addendum to their service contract I am handling like this.

I am giving their IT department the information related to faxing over VOIP - with my recommendation that they not do it. Their documents are too important to go with an 85% success rate. My recommendation is that they use an online service for their faxing needs. They are secure and very reliable. This construction company will be done in the next 18-24 months and will never have a land-line. Their documents are too important to go with an 85% success rate. If they choose to do it - we will not support it (and with proper explanation this will not ruffle any feathers.)

[mojorolla]

Re: Faxing over VOIP or 3G using a Toshiba copier? Can it be done?

On any VOIP line, I always adjust the following:
TX and RX levels: set to 9600 db.
Turn of ECM
If coding is JBIG, change it to MMR.
VOIP networks are a pain in the neck. In fact, our fax kits state on the box they are not for digital phone networks. Packet loss, jitter, and buffer overflow can cause missing or partial images and disconnects on a VOIP system. Due to all these factors , as stated by my colleagues, there is no guarantee.