Xerox Retires the ACS Handle: A Texas Name Rides Into the Sunset

Posted on January 25, 2012 by guestblogger | Business Process Outsourcing | 46 comments

By Christa Carone, CMO, Xerox Corporation

At Xerox, we tend to walk the walk.

If you do business with us, you likely hear us talk about how we can simplify your business. We aim to make our clients’ lives easier by streamlining things they do behind the scenes – like processing credit card applications and insurance claims, converting paper files to digital, managing payment systems, staffing call centers, printing millions of documents and handling millions of transactions (even those E-Z Pass ones). And lots more.

We simply strive to make business life easier.

A couple of years ago, we acquired Affiliated Computer Services, or ACS, to broaden our business. While we were talking to our clients about transforming their operations, we didn’t hesitate to take the bold step to transform ours by deepening our expertise in the business process and information technology services world.

Headquartered in Dallas, ACS was this big company with a quiet presence. We turned up the volume. During our transformation, we learned that the Xerox brand, known around the world, is a great asset for ACS. We increasingly see the value of going to market as one Xerox, one voice, demonstrating to clients that our services-led, technology-driven strategy offers value through the very strength of our brand.

So, we took another step today. We’re retiring the ACS name. It won’t happen overnight but it also won’t happen over too much time. We’re moving on it.

It will now be simpler for our clients to refer to us and to understand what we can do for their business. It will be simpler for them to understand that we provide business process outsourcing services. It will be simpler for them to understand that we offer information technology outsourcing services. And it will be very easy for them to understand that we also do document management.

Because now, we’re simply known as Xerox.

46 Comments

Michael Albor January 25, 2012 -

Cheers! Finally! Congratulations for this Bold achievement!
Gunnar Biering January 25, 2012 -

it couldn’t happen fast enough. thank you – thank you – thank you.
Himanshu Mishra January 25, 2012 -

A very welcome move. I am sure ACS folks will be able to leverage and contribute to the very strong brand equity that Xerox holds.
Mahesh January 26, 2012 -

That’s great news.
CONNIE January 26, 2012 -

WISHING YOU A WARM WELCOME
Shyju January 26, 2012 -

Welcome to the most expected.
Christa January 26, 2012 -

Many thanks for all the great comments. Of course, with the most simple of plans, there is lots of complexity behind the scenes. We’re working through that now — and thrilled to bring the power of the Xerox brand to the breadth of our business. Christa
Vignesh January 27, 2012 -

Its a great news for ACSers.I am confused about the exceptions in the brand name transition for asia pacific
Robert Patterson January 27, 2012 -

As an ACSer I am glad this happening now instead of 2015 as originally expected. It will be so much simplier when communicating with our clients. Thank you for moving the time table up. 🙂
Christa January 27, 2012 -

Vignesh, thank you for your comment. In the Asia Pacific region we are working with our partner Fuji Xerox to identify opportunities to effectively position our Services Business in that part of the world and, at this point in time, we do not want to create any confusion with our existing Technology Business there.
Deepak January 28, 2012 -

Christa : ACS in India will be now as Xerox?
Vijay January 31, 2012 -

Christa, nice to see progress on the rebranding effort. What does this entail to employees in India? Will email addresses change to the Xerox domain?
Muralidhar January 31, 2012 -

This is a great news and does ACS in India will be changed to Xerox?
Mike Williams January 31, 2012 -

This is a Quantum achievement for Xerox through this acquisition of ACS. What about the name that the Off Shore Partners are currently using i,e ACS- A Xerox Company? Will this name now be history?
Soji January 31, 2012 -

Excellent business decision. There will be more clients wanting to do business.
Christa January 31, 2012 -

Thanks for all the feedback- we are very excited about retiring the ACS brand in many areas of our services business, including India. Going forward we’ll lead with Xerox as the brand that represents the world’s largest enterprise for business process and document management. Employees stay tuned for more detailed communications and direction on next steps.
Kannan Omanakuttan February 1, 2012 -

Great News….
Amit February 2, 2012 -

Christa : in many email i see , In ASIA Pacific , ACS will be as “ACS , a Xerox Company”. So in INDIA , ACS will be XEROX or ACS , a XEROX Company. Please share.
worldclock February 7, 2012 -

Xerox Retires the ACS Handle | Real Business at Xerox – just great!
Onoja February 8, 2012 -

This is really a bold step. Xerox is a brand that is known and respected world wide. Keep on keeping on!
Vignesh Kamath February 10, 2012 -

Thanks Christa. Xerox is probably the most popular household name in India and all of us at ACS India are overwhelmed and excited about changing the name to Xerox.
Steve February 13, 2012 -

ACSers will now join the rest of us Xeroids.
Welcome
Brad February 14, 2012 -

The building in the photo is my home office in Lexington, Kentucky!! 🙂
Tom February 19, 2012 -

When will we be seeing the name change in the Dallas corporate building? I’m really excited.

The Xerox brand brings great opportunity.
sagar February 20, 2012 -

how about ACS india ? will be it be xerox too
srestha banerjee February 24, 2012 -

awesome company! doing a really good job. providing services,and opportunities to millions around the world:) really lookin forward to join as a fresher!!!!
Jorge Thomaz February 27, 2012 -

Awesome News !!
Good Luck and Good Business to all of us !!
Cheers from Brazil !!
aren agopian February 28, 2012 -

Way to go Xerox!
Nice job, mates.
Prakash Shiraguppi March 1, 2012 -

“XEROX” a name itself Rocks, i m too glad and proud to be a XEROX employee….
Good luck all !!!
Akshay B March 6, 2012 -

Congratulations on this milestone!
Emilio Gonçalves March 9, 2012 -

This is very good news ! One brand, one voice.
Jerome May 31, 2012 -

I am excited about the changes. When do we get our new sign in Alamogordo?
Anonymous January 11, 2013 -

I thought when Xerox took over ACS that things would get better. Xerox had a reputation for caring for it’s employees and everyone was really happy with the company change but it seems we were all mistaken. Xerox left the same ACS management in charge and they just continue to screw their employees over and over again. ACS cut salaries to make us look better to Xerox for the sale and then Xerox just let them continue to mess with us. No raises in 4 years! No cost of living increase! Promises were made that they now state they didn’t say!
Christa Carone January 14, 2013 -

Anonymous – You’re right, Xerox has a strong culture and cares deeply about its 140,000 employees. Transformation takes time and a little bit of luck. Our management team is working hard to advance the business in what has been one of the world’s most challenging economic environments. We will continue to work hard for our employees, clients and investors and we are committed to a stronger Xerox. We hope you stay for the journey.
Hermionie February 7, 2013 -

Will the ACS name be retired in Jamaica? I heard something like that but I see both names on the building in Montego Bay. This is very confusing.
Christa Carone February 7, 2013 -

Hello Hermionie – Yes, we have retired the ACS brand on a global basis. In due time, the building signage will change as part of the brand transition.
Amit May 3, 2013 -

Hello Christa : Will the ACS name be retired in INDIA?
Christa Carone, Xerox May 3, 2013 -

Hi Amit – Yes…The ACS name has been retired on a global basis. We are now in the process of transitioning the signage on buildings and across workplaces.
Amit May 3, 2013 -

But Christa , as of now we are signage like “ACS, a Xerox company”. Please advice.
Nitin Sharma May 3, 2013 -

That’s great News.
Nitin Sharma May 3, 2013 -

Good Evening Christa, as of now we are signage as “ACS, a Xerox Company”. Please share your valuable comments.
Nitin Sharma May 3, 2013 -

Hi Christa : How much time it will take to be Xerox in INDIA. As of now , we are ACS , a Xerox company.
Christa Carone, Xerox May 3, 2013 -

Hello Amit and Nitin,
As you can imagine, transitioning the signage on all of our buildings around the world is quite an undertaking. In due time, you will see the building signage in India change from ACS, A Xerox Company, to simply, Xerox.
Nitin Sharma May 7, 2013 -

So Christa , How much duration it will take to reflect with full Xerox in INDIA.
Vanessa December 17, 2013 -

No raises in some business units going on 6 years. The insurance package offers the same program – granted for $70 more per month – of a 6 month tenured McDonalds team supervisor. I’ve also seen better benefits through the Obamacare site for about $100 more/mo than our current offering (search for the guide online lol) and that’s for *private pay* insurance. Deductibles went up 100% in network and 300% out of network. No 401 match, and not much else available. I’ve talked to hiring managers while I was seeking a new job – two of them had temporary Xerox Services experience and said something evasive or laughed hearing my salary 🙂 (about 30k less than market value. Those who didn’t know xerox still looked shocked about the salary and one HR rep laughed while I explained no raises in so long… Xerox Services division is still ACS yet somehow even more awful. They got me the experience I needed to further my career because so few people can handle the weekly lay off stress and the low pay so… Yes it’s still ACS despite whatever logo is slapped on our stuff.
Jeff Reach October 17, 2014 -

No raises for 7 years for some, for everyone else 5 years at least. no annual increment which makes those getting FPR rating of 4 and above a joke. benefit cuts here and there. promotion with no salary change for up to 4 years for some. poor severance package. this is a great company, yes!