It’s not news that technology has developed very quickly over the last 30 or so years, but rarely do we take the time to consider just how things have changed. Take a minute to think about how technologies that used to be essential are now obsolete, replaced by better, faster, more powerful alternatives.
There are some interesting exceptions, though — such as fax, for example. A lot of people assume the simple fax machine is long dead, a thing of the past. And, to be fair, that is generally the case for the average user and even some businesses.
These days, most users can simply scan a document and send it via e-mail. Meanwhile, the prevalence of cloud storage and online document services like Google (News - Alert) Docs make sharing documents, spreadsheets and even PowerPoint presentations something that can be accomplished entirely within a Web browser.
It’s also worth considering that most companies now use VoIP, which can’t offer the same reliability as a landline when it comes to faxing.
As such, some companies have turned to alternative IP-based fax solutions. For example, Telx Telecom recently introduced a new solution that allows companies to receive faxes electronically without the need for a dedicated fax machine. This solution comes with a dedicated “fax” number, allowing documents to be received from any normal fax machine and automatically turned into a PDF file. Faxed items are then delivered directly to a designated e-mail inbox.
While this solution is likely serviceable for a lot of companies, the fact remains some organizations are still required to use traditional fax machines, such as those that are regulated by HIPAA or SOX. For these organizations, a standard fax machine is more or less the only option for certain documents.
For a long time, this meant these companies had to stick with expensive landline service, but new fax ATA devices from companies like AudioCodes (News - Alert) have changed this. With AudioCodes’ fax ATA device in particular, documents are sent via HTTPS, providing a level of reliability identical to landline-based fax machines, with greater security. Best of all, this means companies can hang onto their old fax machines, saving a lot of hassle.
In other words, with fax ATA around, it’s inaccurate to classify faxing as obsolete.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson