Ranx Xerox Ltd in the UK is spearheading its entry into the Open Systems marketplace by building up a series of strategic relationships with specialist companies. Rank-Xerox, whose US parent is set to enter the Unix and open systems arena through its recently forged relationships with AT&T and Sun Microsystems within 18 months, has approached around 15 such companies, and is actively working with eight. First to be announced is a UKP1m investment in software services and product company Kernel Technology from Leeds. Kernel has been working with Rank Xerox for two years on projects including communications software development, windowing and personal computer connection, and sees the new relationship as an extension of that business. Managing director Mike Briercliffe said the money was needed to fund the company’s forecast of 250% growth this year: it gives Rank a 25% stake in Kernel, matching the 25% invested by venture capital group 3i. We were looking for active money said Briercliffe, but stressed that the move would allow Kernel to retain its independence while guaranteeing its ability to grow. Rank-Xerox UK sells mostly to the corporate office market, and says its office systems business has grown significantly since former Burroughs manager David O’Brian took over the UK arm two years ago. Xerox has committed to use Sun workstations and the Sparc processor in place of its proprietary Star workstations, and also supports AT&T’s Open Look user interface.
