Another title for this article might be 'going multifunctional in SoHo', as the two most distinctive trends within the UK fax machine market at the moment are: (a) the emergence of a growing number of systems that can do more than just send and receive faxes; and (b) more and more models being launched to address the needs of the small office/home office (SoHo) sector.What makes these developments all the more interesting is that whereas in recent years a lot of the action has been taking place at the 'top' - and hence much more expensive - end of the fax market, both SoHo and multifunctionality are of potential interest to smaller solicitors' practices, including sole practitioners.When fax machines enjoyed their first bloom of commercial success in the late 1970s/early 1980s, they entered a world where office technology was still largely dominated by typewriters and carbon paper.

Today, most firms of solicitors already have (or at least are planning to install) networks of word-processing systems and laser printers.

And there are also photocopiers, answering machines, sophisticated telephone systems and of course fax machines.

The net result is twofold.

First, the process of setting up a law office for business is far more expensive than ever before.

For sole practitioners and new firms this means a considerable commitment in capital and/or leasing costs before the first client has even walked through the door.

Secondly, there is much duplication in the technology bought.

For example, a fax machine uses the same printing technology as a photocopier and the printer attached to a computer.

Enter multifunctionality.

The concept behind the multifunctional fax machine is so simple it seems odd that it took so long to be translated into affordable technology.Modern, conventional stand-alone fax machines are now plain paper systems.

Ordinary A4 sheets can be used rather than the rolls of thermal paper of old.

It is a moot point whether this saves on cost, but it is certainly more convenient as you can use the same paper you bulk buy for photocopiers and printers.

As far as a recipient is concerned, what the fax machine does is receive 'digitised' documents down a telephone line from the sender's fax and print it out using 'inkjet' or 'laser' technology (as used by most computer printers).

From the sender's point of view, a fax machine 'scans' in the image of a document so it can be digitised and sent up a telephone line to another fax machine.In technology terms it is a relatively small step to adapt the machine so that it also prints out documents sent by the word processor at the other side of the office, requiring only the addition of a printer 'port' or socket.

And, as the 'scanning' element uses the same technology now employed in many modern photocopiers (see [1994] Gazette, 22 June, 12) it is once again a relatively straightforward process to make a fax machine double as an occasional photocopier.Add it all together and you have a three-in-one multifunctional fax-cum-photocopier-cum-computer printer.

Admittedly this is a not a universal panacea, and anticipated volumes of traffic must be taken into account so that you do not, for example, find yourself in a position where you cannot print out a 60-page lease because the system is clogged up handling incoming faxes.

On the other hand, it could be an attractive option for the sole practitioner just starting out, or for firms which need occasional/additional fax/photocopier/printer capacity to complement existing dedicated hardware.

Multifunction units also save on physical space and require fewer power sockets - another relevant consideration in small or home office situations.As well as printing multifunctionality, there can also be savings made on the telephone side of fax.

Most fax machines are now sold complete with a telephone handset but a more recent trend has been to also include an answering machine of the 'if you want to send a fax transmit it now, or if you want to leave a message speak after the tone' variety.Although these may be of limited use in a busy office environment, they are ideal for the sole practitioner or for solicitors who work from home and need to keep in touch with the office by fax and phone but who do not want to run to the expense of putting in a second phone line.

It is also an alternative application for those practices where, along with the general office fax, certain partners also have their own 'personal' fax machines.As for the future? The latest generation of systems - of which the Canon B340 was one of the first to be launched -- is taking multifunctionality even further with the integration of fax, phone, answerphone and computer printer facilities.

The re will inevitably be more enhancements in the months to come.