Abstract: A store and hold communications system for storing data files and associated notification messages created at a plurality of first locations. The data files and associated notification messages are automatically and selectively transmitted and stored in remote data stores at a remote location. The remote data stores are associated with a plurality of second locations. Facsimile copies of the notification messages are automatically sent to selected second locations corresponding to the intended recipients of the data files stored in the remote data stores. In response to receiving the facsimile copy of the notification message, the selected second locations initiate a communications link with the remote location to retrieve the stored data files from the remote data store at the remote location associated with the selected second locations.