VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Feb. 28 - IKON Office Solutions announced today that Sysinct, its e-business unit, was one of twelve IBM Software Business Partners worldwide to receive a 2002 IBM Beacon Award recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of e-business at a ceremony held recently in San Francisco, California. The IBM Beacon Awards recognize IBM Software Business Partners who have excelled in providing quality e-business solutions and services to customers based on IBM, Lotus and/or Tivoli technologies. This year's nominations included more than 130 Business Partners in 23 countries. To learn more about the IBM Beacon awards, visit www.ibm.com/partnerworld/software. Sysinct was recognized in the category of "Greatest Mid-Market Success'' for the development of a solution that creates a next-generation data management system called Instrument Network for Industrial Scientific Corporation, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturing company which develops both portable instruments and fixed-point systems for detecting, measuring and monitoring a wide variety of gases. The end-to-end solution developed by Sysinct includes customized software for storage management and disaster recovery, a reporting form mechanism and customizable graphical user interface as well as storage areas and disaster recovery tools. The complete solution connects the gas-monitoring devices to a central data repository via the Internet, which provides easier, less time-consuming and more cost-effective management of gas monitoring programs for both Industrial Scientific and its customers. The solution has also enabled the company to deliver a more comprehensive range of service offerings and a higher level of protection for workers who may encounter toxic or combustible gases. "We are honored to receive our fifth Beacon Award in four years. Recognition by this industry-leading panel of judges signifies Sysinct's commitment and leadership in understanding the needs of our customers and developing and providing practical solutions that allow them to transform their business and increase customer satisfaction,'' said Adam Caromicoli, IKON's General Manager of Sysinct. Mark Hanny, Vice President, Worldwide SMB & Channel Software Marketing, IBM, stated, "IBM is pleased to recognize Sysinct with a Beacon Award, highlighting its commitment and innovation using IBM products and services. It serves as a demonstration of the superior e-business solutions provided to customers.''