One of the best things about good technology is that we can use it to be more efficient. In many cases, a single piece of technology can do multiple tasks that previously had to be done by different machines or methods.

An example of this that comes to mind is the use of networked scanning systems which allow people to send and share scanned information throughout an entire computer network. This technology is capable of replacing multiple tasks including:

• Faxing. There’s no need to have a fax machine anymore if you can scan and send documents from the same machine.
• Mailing. Likewise, you don’t need to mail hard copies of most documents anymore since digital copies sent through a network’s scanner are typically sufficient.
• Copying. You no longer have to make copies of information for everyone on a team since you can just hit send to all of the people who are supposed to receive it.
• Filing. These scanners have a built-in digital filing system which can be adapted to a company’s needs. As a former receptionist, I appreciate the fact that there are fewer papers to physically file in offices these days!

This is just one example out of many where technology has been created to replace multiple devices with a single device to make things more efficient for all of us.

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