Cutting-Edge Tech Trends: Germany Sheds Its Fax-Obsessed Past
Over half of the businesses have discontinued using faxes. - Almost half of the businesses have discontinued the use of fax machines.
Germany, a nation renowned for its engineering prowess, is shedding its fax-centric past. In a revolutionary shift, four out of five companies have junked the fax machines, according to a study by tech powerhouse Bitkom. This groundbreaking survey, conducted among companies with 20 or more employees, revealed a staggering 82% of firms have abandoned the antiquated gadget for internal or external communication.
The survey, presented in Berlin, polled 603 companies. As Germany leaps forward in its digitalization journey, the faithful fax's demise has been expedited. In sharp contrast to 2023 figures, only 18% of the companies surveyed now rely on the outdated mechanism.
"Faxing is rapidly vanishing," proclaimed Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Bitkom, describing the fax as a symbol of archaism.
100% E-mail Dominance
Email, a timeless mode of digital communication, reigns supreme in every office sphere. Much like in the previous year, all companies use email extensively or regularly. An astonishing 94% communication also occurs via smartphones, the dependable handheld device.
The humble landline telephone holds the second position with an impressive 93% usage rate. Video conferencing is now a common practice among two-thirds of companies (67%). Unsurprisingly, messenger services have gained in popularity, being used by two-thirds of companies for internal or external communication (66%).
Hesitant AI Embrace
Despite Germany's digital transformation efforts, Bitkom asserts that acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) applications among German firms remains hesitant. Employee resistance, a common obstacle, is present in half of the companies (53%), while three-quarters are awaiting others' experiences (75%).
In many companies, the expected benefits of AI usages are viewed sceptically, with half believing it offers little value in business and administrative processes (50%).
Rohleder underscored the perils of complacency when it comes to AI integration: "Indecision regarding AI is a dangerous strategy - those who delay may lag behind. Companies must now start implementing AI solutions and ensuring their workforce adapts accordingly."
- Bitkom
- Germany's Significant Digital Economy Player
- Digitalization
- Germany's Push towards Digitalization
- Bernhard Rohleder
- CEO of Bitkom
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI's Role in Streamlining Business Processes
- The dominant mode of communication in German offices, according to the Bitkom study, is email, with all companies using it extensively or regularly, a trend that continues from the previous year.
- In terms of financial implications, the move towards digital communication and the gradual embrace of artificial intelligence are crucial for businesses, as highlighted by Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Bitkom, emphasizing the need for companies to start implementing AI solutions to avoid falling behind in the competitive digital economy.
