In a world where we can send an email or text message with the click of a button, it may seem like fax machines are a relic of the past. And yet, despite the advent of new technologies and growing methods of digital communication, fax machines are still widely used in business and healthcare settings today. Why do we still use fax machines? Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why fax machines are still going strong in the 21st century.
Why Do We Still Use Fax Machines?
While fax machines may seem ancient compared to more updated technology, there are actually several good reasons that we still use fax machines today.
Reliability
Why do we still use fax machines? They’re reliable. Unlike email, which can sometimes end up in a recipient’s spam folder, get lost in an overloaded inbox, or blocked by a firewall, faxes will always be delivered as long as the receiver’s fax machine is working properly. This makes faxes ideal for sending time-sensitive or important documents that need to be received by a specific person or department. Fax machines can operate in both online and offline modes, meaning that you can still send and receive faxes even if your internet connection is down.
Security
Unlike email, which can be subject to cyber-attacks or server outages, fax machines provide a secure and reliable way to send and receive sensitive information. Fax machines encrypt data during transmission, making it much more difficult for third parties to intercept and read sensitive information. If you’re sending confidential documents, faxing them is always the best bet.
Compatibility
Fax machines are compatible with just about any type of document or image you want to send. Fax machines can send documents in a variety of formats, including PDFs, JPEGs, and TIFFs. This makes them much more versatile than email, which is often limited to sending text-based messages or attachments in common file formats.
Ease of Use
Fax machines are incredibly easy to use, even for those who are not particularly tech-savvy. All you need to do is insert the document you want to send into the machine, dial the recipient’s fax number, and hit send. The whole process takes just a few seconds, and very little training is required.
Cost Effectiveness
While there is an initial investment for the purchase of a fax machine, the ongoing costs to operate a fax machine are quite low. Faxes can be sent and received locally or long-distance without incurring any additional charges. Fax machines are especially cost-effective compared to other methods of sending documents, especially when you need to send documents quickly. Compared to the steep costs of overnight shipping or courier services, the speed and cost-effectiveness of faxing documents are hard to beat.
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Though they might seem like relics of the past, fax machines actually still have a lot to offer businesses and office settings. They’re reliable, secure, and compatible with a variety of document types — all important factors to consider when choosing a method of communication for your business.
Whether your fax machine needs to be repaired or replaced, CPI can help. Along with fax machines, CPI offers multiple lines of multifunctional products, digital and color office equipment, printers, scanners, fax machines, shredders, folders, collators, and all-in-ones. To learn more about our office systems, and how CPI can help you with everything from managed IT to office technology, contact us today.