Add Central Fax Service to Your Telework Tools

Although much of the paperwork that flows through our offices travels via email these days you still get the occasional request to fax a specific form or document. Most offices have a fax machine tucked away somewhere but what do you do if you're teleworking from home or another location where a fax machine isn't available? CIT is ready to help you turn your computer into a fax machine using only your email client and eFax, the NIH Central Fax Service.

What is eFax?

eFax enables email users at NIH to send and receive faxes directly to and from their computer. The service is provided only to NIH employees, authorized NIH contractors, and other official users of CIT services. The NIH Central Fax Service is provided at no additional charge to users.

eFax benefits

Using eFax is secure and convenient, and is more efficient and cost-effective than traditional faxing. The service offers:

• Faster faxing, right from the desktop


• Ease of use


• Flexibility (telework)—send and receive faxes from almost anywhere


• Reduced equipment and supply costs


• Reduced telecommunications fees

How do I send an eFax?

To send an eFax:

1. In your email application, open a new email message.


2. In the To field, enter the fax address in the following format:
   
   UserName%faxnumber@fax.nih.gov
   
   where UserName is the name of the recipient and faxnumber is the recipient's fax number.
   For example: Jim_Smith%9-301-555-1234@fax.nih.gov
   
   Be sure to use the appropriate area codes and other numbers for local, long distance, and international fax numbers:

   Type of fax number	Format	Example
   Local	9-AreaCode-Fax-Number	9-301-555-1234
   Long Distance	9-1-AreaCode-Fax-Number	9-1-301-555-1234
   International	9-011-CountryCode-Fax-Number	9-011-86-301-555-1234



3. In the Subject field, enter a subject. In the body of the email, add your comments.


4. Attach the file that you want to fax to the email.


5. Click Send.

How do I obtain an eFax number?

To request an inbound eFax number, contact the NIH IT Service Desk at http://itservicedesk.nih.gov/support/.

How do I view an eFax?

Once you get your inbound fax number, you can receive an eFax. eFaxes will appear in your email inbox.

To view the faxed document, click the attached image. You can also print, store, forward, or fax the document to someone else.

Please note that the NIH Central Fax Service is a shared service, which means there are not enough eFax numbers for every individual at NIH to have their own number at the same time. If you have colleagues in your same business area, consider asking for an eFax number to be assigned to a resource mailbox or an email distribution list for shared use. The NIH IT Service Desk can assist you with this process.

Removing your eFax number

If you find that you are not making regular use of your inbound eFax number, please contact the NIH IT Service Desk and ask them to remove your inbound fax number so that it can re-assigned.

For more information

If you have any questions about the NIH Central Fax Service, please contact the NIH IT Service Desk online at http://itservicedesk.nih.gov/support or by calling 301-496-4357, 301-496-8294 (TTY), or toll free at 866-319-4357.

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