VALLEY FORGE, Pa.--Jan. 6, 2004-- IKON Office Solutions, the world's largest independent channel for document management systems and services, today announced it has reached a record $1 billion in purchases for Canon equipment, parts and supplies for the calendar year 2003. With its team of 12,000 sales and service professionals worldwide, IKON markets, sells and services best-in-class document management solutions, including a full range of Canon imaging technology - from desktop to production-level digital output devices, to a broad portfolio of color copying/printing systems. "As one of the industry's leading equipment manufacturers, Canon has been an excellent partner ensuring that IKON brings best-in-class document management solutions to the marketplace," said Matthew J. Espe, Chairman and CEO, IKON Office Solutions. "We believe this financial milestone underscores the importance of our relationship and is consistent with our mutual goal- to provide customers with increased office efficiency, streamlined document workflow and a high return on investment." Utilizing its best-in-class approach, IKON tailors products and services to create office efficiencies through an effectively integrated product mix - giving customers a choice instead of limiting them to one brand of technology. As a result, IKON can deliver document management equipment and services that organizations need at every phase of the document lifecycle. Partners such as Canon leverage this approach to bring new and existing technologies to market. "IKON is a trusted partner and important distribution channel for Canon's leading document management products," said Mr. Ryoichi Bamba, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "With IKON's strong multi-national sales and service organization, consultative approach and technological expertise, we look forward to growing this relationship and meeting the increasingly complex needs of our customers." IKON distributes Canon copiers, printers, fax machines and multifunctional products (MFPs) and provides service support for its extensive family of document management equipment and products. Additionally, IKON provides related document assessment and workflow consulting services through its team of analysts and document management consultants to companies looking to integrate technology investments and improve productivity and efficiency.