In office automation there is an undeniable trend towards digital, multi-functional equipment which uses networking capabilities to simplify jobs and guarantee high productivity and quality (including modern applied statistics software).  The modern office assistants combine fax, telephone, photocopier, and printer and scanner functions.  Color laser printers have increased in speed and decreased in price.  Thanks to their modular construction, they can be expanded to serve as color photocopiers.  On the way towards creating the paperless office, rapid duplex scanners digitize incoming invoices and delivery notes as the beginning link in the completely automated process chain for document management.