Obsolete Business Technology on its Way Out?

With the rapid advances in technology and growing enterprises phasing out legacy, or old systems, it is possible to still see old and obsolete technology in today’s offices, waiting to be put out to pasture.

1. Produced for commercial use in the mid 1960s, fax machines are large communication devices that take more space and are far less efficient than they are made out to be. With organizations moving toward paperless operations and electronic fax or eFax technology, these unnecessary machines are a costly extra in any office. eFax providers offer pay-as-you-use plans that save paper and keep faxes legible and paper-free.
2. Once the symbol of an efficient office, paper documents in filing cabinets are one of the most obsolete office systems still in use. While posing a significant and obvious fire risk, paper documents also take up space. With the advent of remote data backup, online and offline storage and disaster recovery planning, important documents and client data are accessible just a few hours after a fire or disaster.
3. While it is still considered proper office etiquette to route certain calls through the office receptionist, being available directly to clients and other stakeholders is replacing the need for the receptionist. Most returning clients prefer to speak directly with your staff after the initial interaction and the receptionist’s time can be directed to more productive tasks.
4. Wireless internet connections are convenient and do not require you to remain at your desk while you work. The only problem is that their security is still under development, making them prone to hackers and data thieves, and the wireless security of today is less sophisticated than the threats of data theft from them. Wireless internet is ideal for home connectivity but is a significant risk when your company and customer’s data is exposed to loss and theft. No company wants to be liable for millions of dollars on account of lax data security. Video conferencing is a great cost-effective way to interface with clients around the world. However, a high definition (HD) video with a T1 internet line to support it is not.

Technology, when used wisely and economically, can deliver significant cost savings and make interactions with customers productive. With the necessary data security safeguards, these solutions can help you add immense value to customers and stakeholders.