Reasons why Businesses still use Fax in 2018

Despite the burgeoning digital technology across multiple industries, many enterprises still depend on faxing as a means for the secure exchange of information. Studies show that approximately 89 percent of small to medium-sized organizations still use fax (including computer fax servers and other fax services) for their business needs. With the proliferation of cloud and digital transformation, businesses are increasingly under the threat of cybercrime, thus making it an unreliable medium for the sharing of sensitive files. Research shows that nearly half of all email accounts have been compromised at some point.

To compromise a file sent by fax, hackers must be aware of the point of transmission and know the exact time the file was sent, which is highly unlikely. Business faxes can hence be used as an effective alternative against such vulnerabilities. As a result, many highly regulated industries such as legal firms, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and government bodies still prefer faxing and only accept hard copies of legal documents. Signing a legal file via email involves the strenuous task of downloading, printing, signing, scanning, uploading, and resending of the material.

However, cloud faxing, with the use of touch screens and e-signature technology has proved to be much quicker and efficient than emailing, for the exchange of crucial legal documents that need to be signed immediately. It can also be used to create a digital version of a document with the help of cameras and scanners.

Cloud faxing, with a combination of digital technology and faxing, omits the need for multiple machines, excess paper, or toner usually required for a traditional fax machine, yet maintains maximum business connectivity. It also provides users with the versatility of sending and receiving faxes from any businesses, regardless of whether they use cloud faxing or a traditional machine. Hence it is a convenient medium that can be trusted by enterprises for the secure transfer of information. Additionally, faxing a document is less expensive than sending an email. Faxing has increasingly become the global standard for business communications. Businesses such as international logistics and shipping rely on faxing technology for trading in those parts of the world where high-speed internet is not available.