{"id":9513,"date":"2017-09-22T14:36:44","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T04:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backupassist.com\/blog\/?p=9513"},"modified":"2025-06-26T07:01:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T07:01:59","slug":"why-your-office-fax-refuses-to-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backupassist.com\/blog\/why-your-office-fax-refuses-to-die","title":{"rendered":"Why Your Office Fax Refuses to Die"},"content":{"rendered":"

You know that feeling; a user has strolled confidently up to you, and demanded you fix some gadget around the office.\u00a0<\/strong>It doesn’t matter if you actually know<\/em> anything about that device. That’s entirely beside the point.<\/p>\n

“You’re the tech person. The printer\u00a0is technology. Fix it!” they exclaim. \u00a0You can see it in their eyes. They fully believe you have memorized all 200+ pages of\u00a0that printer model’s user guide, all ready to jump into action for a “three flashes, two beeps” scenario.<\/p>\n

Instead, you suppress the urge to send them a sarcastic e-mail with a\u00a0LMGTFY<\/a> link.<\/p>\n

This is why you want to get rid of a lot of the tech around your workplace. Of course, you can’t get rid of the\u00a0printer. While you hate dealing with it, you understand it serves a purpose. But there’s one device that does boggle you.<\/p>\n

The fax machine.<\/p>\n

WHY on earth do they need it? Surely this 1960’s relic has had it’s day? In the age of e-mails, cloud technology, and smartphones, that antiquated plastic brick seems completely out of place.<\/p>\n

If you’re wondering this, you’re not alone.\u00a0Approximately 89% of organizations<\/a> still use fax, and 62% of IT pros have to offer support for them. So why are fax devices still a thing?<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Why People Refuse To Give Up Fax Machines<\/h1>\n

1. Customers and users are behind the times<\/h2>\n

Older employees and customers still use fax, and don’t want to or can’t learn to use new mediums. That means your business has to have a fax machine to do business with them.<\/p>\n

It could be worse. There are still customers who only want to use postal mail, or come in to the business in person for everything.<\/p>\n

2. People Feel\u00a0Fax is More Secure.<\/h2>\n

Many people say a\u00a0fax cannot be intercepted in the same way as an e-mail packet – that they would need to get physical access to either endpoint.<\/p>\n

There are also a number of compliance standards that consider faxing a secure method, but not e-mail (E.g HIPAA). This means it’s a choice between setting up end-to-end e-mail encryption… or using a fax machine.<\/p>\n

Guess which one businesses usually choose.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0A Literal Paper Trail<\/h2>\n

Quite a few people feel secure in that fax benefits from existing laws against wiretapping, and the fact you can prove faxes were sent by subpoena each party involved for fax logs.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Easier than Manual Faxing<\/h2>\n

Without a dedicated fax machine, it’s very hard to send an outgoing fax. You’ve got to scan the document on a copier, go back to the desk and find the scan, attach the scan image to an e-mail, and then send it.<\/p>\n

With a physical fax, you just slap it into the scanner and pick a number from the address book. You don’t have to know much to send a fax.<\/p>\n

Why People\u00a0SHOULD Give Up Fax Machines<\/h1>\n

… If your sanity isn’t enough of a reason, here’s 20\u00a0reasons your business should toss fax machines.<\/p>\n