Are you drowning in paperwork?

I’ve come to dislike paperwork. Hundreds of pages, newspapers, journalism readings, essay drafts and copies of my CV, application forms are piled up on my floor waiting to be read or recycled. I’m scared to enter the room because of the plethora of outdated documents which I have to weave through. One of these days I’ll get around to sifting through these documents and filing them in a way that makes sense. If that’s humanly possibly in this lifetime.

Recently, I discovered a company established to allow us all to reap the benefits of digital communication. In a rush to collect copies of my matric certificate and bursary awards for my application for a bursary which were at home (in Witbank, some 1200 kilometers across the country), I discovered an online service that saves time, effort and money.

Integr8 Fax is an innovative electronic transmission service for individuals and corporate institutions, which immediately links your fax number to your e-mail address. You don’t have to buy hardware or download software.The best part? The service is free. Let me clarify that:

• Set-up is Free
• Installation is Free
• Training is Free
• Support is Free
• The entire inbound solution is Free

It seems like they’ve got a leg up on the South African telecommunications provider, Telkom.

Owner of Intgr8 IT, Walter Bredell says, “If you have no electricity to check your e-mail inbox for faxes, our fax server will store the faxes that were sent to you and release them at a later date when you when you are up and running again”.

In the midst of South Africa’s loadshedding debacle (state-planned blackouts) which had no economic benefits, Integr8 still managed to transmit fax-to-email documents. So whilst small businesses were struggling to survive and business-owners were wondering how they would run the shop each day, Integr8 Fax had no worries because it is based on transmission of digital data, not hardware so it does not rely on electricity inputs.

Integr8 Fax saves copies of all your documents for up to 30 days after the transmission so you don’t have to stress about lost documents. On the one hand, this is great because it means that you can track down missing files or double check contractual obligations on the digital copy. But, on the other hand, if my million-dollar business deal contract were lying around in a server, I’d be concerned about who can access it. If I can access it, well… a very smart, sneaky scoundrel can too. Which brings us to the question of security.

The release for Integr8 Fax says that “all internet fax transmissions from fax server to fax server on the Integr8 Fax Network are encrypted with 128 bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) across the globe. 128 bit Secure Socket Layer is a “commonly-used protocol for managing the security of a message transmission on the Internet.” It sound really fancy but basically SSL prevents any digital technologies interrupting the transmission of your documents. Wikipedia says that SSL was the predecessor to Transport Layer Security which “provides secure communications on the Internet for web browsing, e-mail, Internet faxing, instant messaging and other data transfers”. Technically speaking, you shouldn’t have any hackers interrupting your digital communications. At least, not yet.

Satisfied clients include Nedbank, computer hardware company IBM and paper production company Mondi, who had this to say:

 Nedbank: “I’ve only had positive feedback from the people and am please to say that there are more staff who requires the facility if this is still available, please advise. Gr8 to see that you are still enthusiastic about your work for showing so much interest, shows that you care.”

IBM: “IBM successfully submitted the proposal for ROSA View 2 this morning and I just wanted to send a note to say a huge thanks for all of your support, effort and sleepless nights in turning this around.”

Mondi Packaging : “This facility is being used extensively and like most technologies not missed unless it stops working. Thanks for making this possible.”

And now they can add my name to their satisfied customers list.

Let’s talk e-money

or two weeks now, I’ve been hunting across the net to discover some e-commerce and e-trade blogs that I can actually relate to as a young African black woman. There are none. So I have some value to add to the world. Such a comfort. Along the way I’ve discovered  uncoventional websites that allow for online shopping, like Hema (see below).

E-commerce is not just about shopping. It also includes e-commerce, e-trading, e-banking, online marketing and website design that makes buying goods easier. It’s a lot terrain to cover but I’ll try make it worthwhile yet entertaining reading.

For example, until two weeks ago my FNB online banking account was messed up. I couldn’t log in and my password was blocked. So I tried reregistering, only to be told that my username (which is my ID number) was already taken. I thought I wanted to scream. Getting my account fixed at the bank branch was horrible. Between the long qeues and slow tellers, I was had to bite my tongue to hold back my frustrated wail.

Fortunately, FNB has improved its online system and website by simplifying the layout and the log-in process. As I searched around the site, I discovered that I can find out how to save and invest cash. Also the updated webpage allows me to access information that’s particular to my needs as a student. Well, it did everything except give me more cash.

E-banking is fabulous for researching what money management opportunities are available. You can scan different banks without having to queue in line. It’s brilliant. For years, I’ve seen my parents shuttle from one ATM to another and hunting in unknown small towns to find a petrol station which would allow them to draw cash. It’s not easy when you’re in Colesburg on a family trip with five kids in the car whining: “When are we getting there?” So thank heavens online banking was created. But before we get to the meaty stuff here’s a breakdown of what I’ll be covering in this blog.

Breaking down e-money

If you’ve ever bought or sold anything online – from books to bras – then you’ve engaged in e-commerce. You can do this on either business-based sites, eg. Musica or Exclusive Books. In comparison to Hema (a Dutch company), they’re really dreary. It takes a while to load, but it’s worth it.

You can also manage all your bank accounts online and on your phone. Most South African banks, eg ABSA and Standard Bank, allow cellphone/mobile banking so you can complete transactions from home, the car, the boardroom, the toilet… wherever you are.

If that’s not advanced enough, my lecturer hinted at entering virtual communities like Second Life and buying virtual swords. It’s intruiging.

Endless Possibilities

The great thing is that the online trade industry allows us to think outside the box about how to manage money. The tools are there. We just have to find a way to use them effectively. And that’s what my blog is about.