IKON purchases Valcom

Springfield's Valcom Computer Center was purchased in February by IKON Office Solutions, according to a recent release from the companies. Tom Sanders, who bought Valcom in 1988, will remain as president of the Springfield office.

In May, Valcom will change its name to IKON Technology Services Springfield. The release said that Valcom in 1997 employed 22 people and had revenues of $5.7 million. Valcom is a network computing company.

IKON Technology Services is a division of IKON Office Solutions begun in 1996. It now has more than 70 offices and more than 2,000 employees. IKON Office Solutions has about 1,100 locations in seven countries and 1997 revenues of more than $5 billion, according to the release.

The new IKON Technology Services will get support from the company's Kansas City area office. IKON Office Solutions has a sales presence in Springfield already. In the same release as the Valcom announcement, IKON said D&D Office Products and Modern Business Systems have added IKON products to their lines.

"Our acquisition by IKON will result in increased resources for our clients and employees," Sanders said.

"IKON looks for companies who are the best in their geographic area, both in customer service and quality of their people," said Kevin Grawe, president of IKON Technology Services' Kansas City area office. "Valcom has provided leading edge computer networking services for a number of years. Our goal is to help them grow by providing additional financial and technical resources from throughout IKON's network of Technology Services offices."

"The partnership with IKON will allow us to do more for our customers and our employees," Sanders said. In addition to added technical expertise, "national vendor programs will enable us to offer additional products, and the training programs will help our employees continue to improve their skills."

Valcom is a Microsoft Solutions Provider, Novel Gold Partner and is authorized by IBM, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard for service.

The companies' release said the growing complexity of office systems and Valcom's addition will benefit IKON customers.

"Having an IKON Technology Services affiliate right here in Springfield is a direct advantage to us and our customers," said Wally Walsworth, district manager of IKON Office Solutions locally.

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