Fax Machines
he fastest fax machine transmits at just 14.4 bits per second, and waiting for pages to move at that speed can be a real drag. (Don't be fooled: Even if your computer modem transmits at 33.6 bps, the fax still goes only at a maximum of 14.4 bps.)
Help is on the way. The international body that regulates fax standards has tentatively approved a 36.6 bps protocol (also known as Super G3 fax). How much faster is that? Manufacturers say existing faxes can move a page in six seconds. The 33.6 machines are supposed to cut that time in half, to three seconds, which will be good news for anyone's long-distance phone budget. One consequence of the faster faxes may be expansion of peripheral fax-related services such as call routing and fax messaging as long-distance phone companies look for new ways to compete. The new machines should run only about $300 more than existing machines.
The bad news is that no 33.6 machine will actually transmit at 33.6 unless it's talking to another 33.6 machine. So it could be a while before the productivity and cost-cutting benefits of the technology are realized. Panasonic, Canon, Pitney Bowes, Mita and Sharp have al
ready introduced 33.6 machines; other major players (such as Savin/Ricoh, Konica, Lanier, dex, JetFax and Muratec) are offering 33.6 as an option or are expected to follow shortly.
Also on the horizon is JBIG (joint binary image group), a new compression scheme. JBIG will enable basic black and white images to be compressed 20 percent to 30 percent more than the current technology. It will compress half-tones three to 10 times more than the current standard. Together with 33.6, JBIG will transform faxing from a sometimes slow and balky procedure to a smooth operation that happens almost in the blink of an eye.
Post a Comment
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.