Where's Google's E-Fax Service?

I don't have a fax machine. In fact, I only have access to one if I choose to go to a local FedEx or UPS store and pay for service. I was thinking, Google offers so many services that business users need, why not an electronic faxing service?

Eric Ogren, Contributor

January 19, 2010

2 Min Read

I don't have a fax machine. In fact, I only have access to one if I choose to go to a local FedEx or UPS store and pay for service. I was thinking, Google offers so many services that business users need, why not an electronic faxing service?For the record, I probably only send perhaps five faxes per year. That's a number so insignificantly low there's no need to have my own fax service. The only reason I ever fax anything is when my handwritten signature is required (how archaic). In most cases, my friendly neighborhood FedEx / Kinko's store is where I take care of all my faxing needs.

But it's a hassle. A big hassle. I hate driving there just to send a fax. I should be able to do it from my computer.

There are a significant number of Web-based services that offer free or low-cost electronic faxing services, such as eFax, MyFax, Fax3Free and more. With these services, anyone can set up a fax account and send faxes to pretty much anyone, anywhere. The ease-of-use factor is high. Being able to upload a document (just as you would with an email) is the perfect way to send a fax as far as I am concerned.

Google already offers email, SMS, IM, voicemail, voicemail transcription, Wave, Docs, RSS, calendaring and other tools used by businesses and consumers alike to communicate. Why not faxing? It remains a business-essential tool (for the time being).

It seems a perfect fit with Google's enterprise play. I see no reason why it's not offered. So, Google, when can we expect an electronic faxing service? It would be a perfect companion product to go with Gmail or Google Voice. What say ye?

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