Xerox Completes Takeover of Global Imaging Systems

The Stamford, Conn.-based vendor said Global Imaging Systems will "begin to provide a broad range of Xerox systems and supplies" to its roster of 200,000 customers over the next 90 days. Before the acquisition, Global Imaging, based in Tampa, Fla., had not carried any Xerox products in its linecard, but the company did act as an integrator for Xerox rivals Ricoh, Konica Minolta and Sharp.

Now, Global Imaging will begin to roll out Xerox's office product lineup, including Phaser and WorkCentre devices, the company said in a statement.

While some Xerox solution providers have questioned whether the company would create a conflict with channel partners as a result of the deal, Xerox executives have said they believe there will be very little, if any, overlap with current solution providers, given Xerox's current small share of the SMB market. They have also suggested that channel partners could have access to sell into some of Global Imaging's current accounts.

Xerox said that Global Imaging would now be a wholly owned subsidiary of the vendor and that the organization's chairman and CEO, Tom Johnson, and president and COO Michael Shea, would report to Jim Firestone, Xerox's president of North America. Firestone is also responsible for overseeing the company's North American channel operations.