Just as plain fax paper replaced thermal fax, multifunction fax machines are set to replace the traditional stand-alone fax.
Office equipment companies including Panasonic, Hewlett-Packard, Canon and Ricoh, with its all-digital Aficio system, are consistently launching new products with added functions and capabilities and better performance. Prices are dropping at the same time.
One of the main virtues of multi-function equipment is that its compact design makes it particularly suitable for small, cramped offices.
Vendors say the modular design makes it more reliable and easier to maintain should it break down.
As well as its small size and minimal maintenance, multi-function equipment usually connects to a PC.
A new trend is that it comes complete with a built-in interface, adding to its ease of use.
