Xerox.com is Office products equipment and document copying
Xerox
Xerox Corporation tops the list of leading document management technology and service enterprise of the world today. Its range of products include color and black and white printing and publishing digital systems, digital presses, book factories, multifunction devices, laser and solid ink printers, copiers and fax machines with the required software. The services that the company provides its customers include web services, personal user end services and after sales services which are unmatched.
History
Xerox Corporation known for its document management systems and photocopying machines started its journey as the “Haloid Company” in 1906. The company initiated its business by manufacturing photographic paper and equipment and gained prominence in 1959 when it introduced the first plain papercopier in 1959 using the xerography technology. This technology was developed by Chester Carlson and the machine known as Xerox 914 made about $60 million for the company within two years of its launch. By 1965 the company was raking in $500 million by way of revenues from the sales of the Xerox 914. The “Copyflo” printer which was also introduced by the company in this decade was also a forerunner of printers and copiers that were to come later.
The popularity of the Xerox 914 inspired the company to set up the Wilson Center for Research and Technology in Webster, New York in 1960 and change the name of the company to “Xerox Corporation” in 1961. Xerox Corporation shares were listed in the New York Stock Exchange in 1961 and the Chicago Stock Exchange in 1990 under the symbol XRX.
The first desktop plain paper copier was marketed in 1963 under the name Xerox 813. The color copier followed a decade later.
Xerox PARC(Xerox Palo Alto Research Center) which opened in 1970 was devoted to discovering computing methods and is credited with the development of the mouse and the graphical user interface which has revolutionized computing in the world today. They had also developed a minicomputer –similar to the modern desktop PC—but failed to see its market potential. Apple computing employees who had visited the facility were impressed with the idea and began to develop the first desktop PC’s refining the use of the mouse and GUI for the Personal Computer. Apple Lisa which was marketed in 1983 was a commercial failure but a technological success. The Apple Macintosh was released in 1984. Xerox sued Macintosh for use of GUI and Mouse, but failed to win the suit as the same was filed after the three limitation had passed. Meanwhile, Xerox Corporation was busy introducing the first Laser Printers into the market under the brand name Xerox 9700. This proved to be a multi-million dollar business for Xerox Corporation. This was followed by the Xerox Alto workstation and the Xerox Star. The latter product incorporated many of the technologies which we are familiar with in our Personal computers such as bit mapped display, window based GUI, the mouse, Ethernet Networking, file servers, print servers and email. However, Xerox Star was not popular as it was too expensive.
Digital photocopiers were introduced in 1980-90’s. The high end laser printer line was revamped and scanners were attached and networking capabilities were provided to align the machines with the emerging computing environment. The company decide to give ‘document service’ that included supply, maintenance, configuration and user support. The Corporate signature, "The Document Company®" and the logo with a red "digital X®" was adopted to reinforce the image that was being built up.
Tektronix was acquired in 2000 to build up its XeroxPhaser line of products and Xerox Solid ink printing technology.
The 45th anniversary of Xerox 914 was marked by placing the Xerox 914 as an artifact in the Smithsonian Institution.
The turnaround of Xerox Corporation is attributed to Anne M.Mulcahy who took over as President and CEO of the company in August 2001 and Chairman in 2002.
Position in the Industry and Guiding Principles
Xerox Corporation is a customer focused and employee centered organization. Social responsibility, diversity and quality are the corner stone of its operations. Speed, innovation and adaptability are the factors that have helped the company survive and find a place in the list of fortune 500 companies. The company has its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A. The Chairman and Managing director of the company is Anne M.Mulcahy. The corporation boasts of an employee strength of 53700 employees worldwide and 28400 in the US.
The company takes its mission very seriously and insists that its intent is to help people find better ways to work. The six core values of the organization also are reflective of the mission and vision of the organization. Xerox Corporation believes that its success is attributable to its customers and hence must deliver quality and excellence in their products. They agree that they need a premium return on their assets and must use market technology to gain market leadership. They also appreciate that they must empower their employees and behave as socially responsible citizens by incorporating their values and ethics into every activity that they perform.
To this end the Xerox Corporation has made a commitment to improve factory conditions with a comprehensive factory monitoring and labor standards program. They ensure that the organization works in an environmentally friendly way and makes an all out effort to conserve energy and reduce waste. The company also gives back to the communities in which they operate the benefits that they reap by providing grants, in-kind donations, community outreach programs and employee volunteer programs.
Revenues
In 2002 the Securities Exchange Commission filed a complaint about the irregularities in the accounting practices of the Xerox Corporation and that the internal auditors of the company had also colluded with the company in published irregular accounts to the public. The company neither accepted nor denied the allegations and paid the $10,000 penalty that was imposed upon it and also revised its accounts for 1998-2000 to reflect the correct state of affairs. Today Xerox Corporation is a $16 billion dollar company with a vast shareholding and a number of subsidiaries spread across the world. To know more about the company visit its website at http://www.xerox.com
Contact Xerox
- Information: 1-800-275-9376
- Sales: 1-800-835-6100
- Find a local Xerox dealer
