Xerox to create data centers for state of Texas

And, I thought they sold copiers!

Xerox Creates Data Centers, Secure Cloud-Based IT Infrastructure for Texas

Friday, March 16, 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox (NYSE: XRX) will make it possible for the state of Texas to create secure cloud-based services for citizens by modernizing and consolidating its data centers. The upgrade will be one of the largest projects of its kind in the country.

Under an $848 million, eight-year contract, Xerox will help the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) streamline IT operations of state agencies by refreshing technology and combining operations from 28 separate facilities to two centralized data centers. The transformation will reduce the cost of running multiple data centers, and improve security and disaster recovery capabilities.

“This project is about making the best use of taxpayer dollars,” said Karen Robinson, DIR executive director. “The new data center services project will stabilize services for our state agency customers, improve responses to state agency needs and allow visibility into system costs so that agencies can manage their use of services for increased efficiency.”

Xerox’s partners on the IT consolidation project include a number of Texas firms designated as Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), as well as technology market leaders. By committing to deliver the services in Texas, Xerox and its partners will provide and sustain more than 500 jobs in the state.

Separately, DIR awarded Xerox a six-year, $53 million contract to continue its printing and mailing services that support a number of state agencies. Xerox prints more than 240 million pages annually, including notices, vehicle titles and Workers’ Compensation documents.

“These two contracts amplify our commitment to helping clients simplify their processes through innovation and operational excellence,” said Lynn Blodgett, president, Services Business, Xerox. “As a company with deep roots in Texas and a long history of helping state agencies, this is an opportunity to create a more efficient government.”

Xerox Corporation Acquires LaserNetworks Of Canada

Wednesday, 4 Jan 2012 12:00pm EST

Xerox Corporation announced it has acquired LaserNetworks, a managed print services (MPS) provider in Canada that helps businesses cut costs and reduce the time employees spend on print-related activities.

Based in Oakville, Ontario, LaserNetworks provides MPS solutions that include print device tracking, centralized service and supply management and document routing. It will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xerox Canada with LaserNetworks founder and CEO Chris Stoate continuing to lead the company, reporting to Shapansky.

Terms were not disclosed.

Xerox MPS saves City of Rochester, N.Y. over $2 Million

Xerox MPS (managed-print-services) deal saves City of Rochester, N.Y. over $2 Million

(make sure that you scroll down and read the comment below the Press Release)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Part of the Press Release from the issuing company

Rochester, N.Y. – While many cities struggle to find ways to stretch budgets to fund essential community services, the city of Rochester, N.Y., is working with Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) to save more than $2 million in printing costs.
 


"Xerox came to us with a solution to a problem we didn't even realize we had," said David Mayor, Rochester's chief information officer. "They provided an easy and affordable way to use new and existing technology to reduce costs and really address some of our financial challenges."
 


The city will take control of print costs by applying the same managed print services (MPS) tools and techniques Xerox uses to save millions for large corporations.

Under the five-year Xerox Print Services (XPS) contract, Xerox will help city employees spend more time serving the community and less time on print-related activities by making it faster and easier to fax, scan, copy and print.
 


By reducing the number of printers, copiers and fax machines from 459 to 168, and installing 24 Xerox ColorQube 9200 Series multifunction printers (MFPs) to replace single-function machines, the city will also reduce the cost of everyday color printing and meet its sustainability goals. The ColorQube 9200 Series uses cartridge-free solid ink technology to generate 90 percent less supplies waste and reduce the effects of manufacturing and transportation on the environment. 



"Municipalities need to do the best they can to save taxpayers money, and the city of Rochester is at the forefront of using MPS as a creative solution to this challenge," said Russell Peacock, president, Xerox North America.

Joel’s comment:

After reading this Press Release, it “sounds like” Xerox approached the City with an MPS plan (or strategy) and was selected as the City’s MPS vendor on a “sole-source” basis. I.E., without the City holding a competitive-procurement-process to select an MPS vendor. While I don’t think that’s what actually happened, it might have happened that way. And, if it did happen that way (sole-source), then that was absolutely wrong for the City of Rochester to do. MPS (and copiers and printers, etc.) is not “rocket science” and, for a City (or, for that matter, any County, any State or the Federal Government) to award a procurement (MPS or otherwise related to printing, document management, reprographics, etc.) on a “sole-source” basis, without the benefit of competitive bids or competitive proposals, is downright WRONG. If you see that happen in your local market, go to the mat on that; attend public meetings of city council members, county commissioners, etc. and speak up!