A fax (short for facsimile) is a document sent over a telephone line.
NDIT offers three options for faxing:
- Traditional Faxing
- Desktop/Application Faxing
- Fax on Demand
1. Traditional Faxing
Most fax machines require a special type of connection that NDIT can provide known as an analog line. In its simplest form, faxing is achieved in five steps:
- The sending machine scans a document
- The digital image is converted to audible tones (modulated)
- The sending machine connects to another fax machine
- The receiving machine accepts the incoming transmission
- The receiving machine demodulates and prints a copy
2. Desktop/Application Faxing
NDIT utilizes Open Text Fax Server, RightFax Edition (formerly Captaris RightFax) to enable faxing from any email-enabled device or application. This is particularly useful for people who wish to send and receive faxes directly from Microsoft Outlook.
Outbound Faxing
To send a fax using an email client, build the "To:" address by combining the recipient's fax number with the "@fax.nd.gov" domain.
- A prefix of "328" will automatically be dialed if you send to a four-digit number
- A prefix of "32" will automatically be dialed if you send to a five-digit number
- A prefix of "9" will automatically be dialed if you send to a seven-digit number
- A prefix of "9,1" will automatically be dialed if you send to a ten-digit number
- Dashes may be included in the number, but avoid spaces and parentheses
- Fax and email recipients can be mixed in the same message
- Store fax recipients just as you would email recipients in your Contacts folder
- RightFax can be used through webmail
- A cover sheet is not automatically created, so be sure to specify who the information is intended for and who it is from
- Fax recipients will receive copies of any attachments included in the email
File Format | Supported Versions |
---|---|
ANSI text (7 & 8 bit) | All versions |
ASCII text (7 & 8 bit) | All versions |
BMP | Windows versions |
DCX (multi-page PCX) | Microsoft Fax |
EPS | If TIFF image is embedded |
GIF | All versions |
HTML | Versions through 4.0 |
JPEG (includes EXIF) | All versions |
Microsoft Excel | Versions 2000 through 2013 |
Microsoft PowerPoint | Versions 2000 through 2013 |
Microsoft Rich Text Format (RFT) | All versions |
Microsoft Visio (.VSD files) | Versions 2000 through 2013 |
Microsoft Word | Versions 2000 through 2013 |
Microsoft WordPad | Versions 2000 through 2013 |
Microsoft Works | Versions through 8.0 |
PCX bitmap | All versions |
Portable Document Format | All versions |
Post Script | All versions |
TIFF CCIT Group 3 & 4 | All versions |
Unicode Text | All versions |
UUEncode | No specific version |
UTF-8 | No specific version |
WordPerfect Graphics (WPG & WPG2) | Versions through 2.0 |
Inbound Faxing
RightFax automatically converts inbound faxes to PDF documents and delivers them to an email Inbox. Typically, agencies set up one inbound number and route faxes to a shared Outlook Inbox that is monitored by administrative assistants. Direct inbound faxing to specific inboxes is also available on a limited basis.
3. Fax on Demand
Fax on Demand utilizes Open Text Fax Server, RightFax Edition (formerly Captaris RightFax) to enable callers to request documents using their telephone keypads. The selected documents are then delivered to a fax number they specify.
Requesting Service
For Traditional Faxing, use NDIT’s online Work Management System (WMS) to submit a "Telecommunications" service request. When asked for the "Type of Set," select "Other" and specify "Fax machine."
For Desktop/Application Faxing or Fax on Demand, use NDIT’s online Work Management System (WMS) to submit an "Email/IM/Rightfax/Quota" request. Briefly explain in the "Comments/Special Instructions" what you wish to accomplish.