The disadvantages of e-mail

E-mail is one of the main means of communication in the world. In 1971, the first one was sent on the Arpanet network. In 2017, more than 3.9 billion people were using it. Despite such a craze, it is now being questioned for some of its drawbacks. So what is the hidden side of e-mail and what are the risks incurred by its users?

The risks of cyber-attacks

In a world where technology is omnipresent, almost all companies depend on an IT infrastructure. They are therefore exposed to the risks of cyber-attacks, which represent a real danger for companies: information disclosure, financial losses or even loss of customers... So much damage that can be irreversible for the company. Professional mailboxes are therefore the preferred target of hackers since they are an easy access point. Through corrupted files or emails encouraging the user to communicate his login or bank details, the hacker can easily take remote control of the company's computer system.

The environmental impact

With 306.4 billion emails sent and received every day in the world in 2020 (source Statista), the ecological impact of this use is the hidden part of the iceberg. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine that a simple e-mail has ecological repercussions and yet it pollutes from the moment it is stored in physical servers that are constantly switched on. Sending an e-mail with an attachment or signatures represents an undeniable weight in bytes. According to P. Galio, one of the people in charge of the Ademe study carried out in 2011, "an employee who sends an e-mail of 1Mb from his computer to an individual who will consult it for 5 minutes on his screen, knowing that the message will remain stored for one year, causes the emission of 19 grams of CO2 equivalent".

It is from today that we must adopt a new eco-responsible reflex by simple and regular gestures: uninscribe ourselves from useless newsletters, empty the spam box and the recycle garbage can, use a company messaging system or even better a digital workplace like Atolia!

Loss of information

When communicating with one or more people, non-verbal communication plays a major role in understanding. Thus, the recurrent use of e-mail can be a source of difficulties and misunderstandings. Due to a lack of agility, it does not transmit the information that could have been transmitted in a verbal conversation. The lack of intonation or facial and body expressions makes e-mail open to multiple interpretations. On the other hand, an audio or video call allow a full understanding.

Moreover, it often happens that the e-mails received are directly classified as "spam". In this case, the use of e-mail requires useless efforts, since some e-mails are never even read. With the number of existing e-mail addresses in the world - 4.3 million in France in 2019, source Médiamétrie - how can we know if the recipient is really the right one? Are these addresses really used by your customers or your employees?

The influx of e-mails

Who has never been annoyed by an influx of e-mails? In some cases, e-mails become omnipresent and get lost in the inbox. Many of us are overwhelmed by this uninterrupted flow of information. And many times, we didn't even need to receive an email that wasn't directly addressed to us.

Other more agile and secure alternatives have emerged in recent years that address the drawbacks of e-mail. Atolia is the ideal solution for smooth communication! On the one hand, instant messaging allows you to stay in touch with your team at any time of the day and keep a paper trail; on the other hand, audio and video calls guarantee a clear verbal exchange with your employees.