Valley Forge, Pennsylvania—March 15 , 2001—IKON Office Solutions (NYSE: IKN) announced today that Sysinct, its e-business unit, was one of eleven IBM Software Business Partners worldwide to receive the 2001 IBM Beacon Award recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of e-business.  Sysinct received IBM’s “Distinguished Achievement Award” for North America.  IKON has received four (4) Beacon Awards in the past three years, making it highly recognized for its software solutions achievements. Sysinct received the Beacon Award for demonstrating its commitment as an IBM Business Partner by tripling IBM software solutions sales over a three year period, steadily increasing the number of technical and sales professionals certified in IBM e-business software, and implementing e-business solutions for a wide range of mid-market customers. The IBM Beacon Awards recognize IBM Business Partners who have excelled in providing quality e-business solutions and services to customers based on IBM, Lotus and/or Tivoli technologies.  Winners were formally announced at an IBM Beacon Awards gala reception at PartnerWorld 2001 in Atlanta. “Great things happen when you combine a team that is whole-heartedly focused on client service with the world-class technology offered by IBM,” said Adam Caromicoli, IKON’s executive in charge of Sysinct.  “This recognition builds on our momentum as a leading provider of mid-size enterprise solutions and validates our commitment to both our customers and our relationship with IBM.” “IBM is pleased to give Sysinct a Beacon Award, which recognizes their commitment and innovation using IBM products and services to provide superior e-business solutions to customers,” stated Massimo Bonciani, vice president, Worldwide Distribution Channel Management, IBM Software Group.