Thoman prints rosier future for Xerox

Xerox chief executive Richard Thoman has promised that the problems that have blighted the firm's recent fortunes will clear up by this time next near.

Xerox chief executive Richard Thoman has promised that the problems that have blighted the firm's recent fortunes will clear up by this time next near.

The vendor had warned ahead of its latest results that market conditions in Brazil and a sales force shake-up will hit profit in the next three quarters.

Thoman told a press conference at Comdex that these problems will fade in the next few quarters, as economic conditions in Brazil improve and the restructure takes effect. However, cuts of up to 10,000 sales staff will affect first-quarter turnover.

Thoman also said that Xerox could soon announce spin-offs of some of its Internet-related businesses, such as Content Guard security software. He went on to predict that the future of the company's printing strategy lies in the internet.

Thoman claimed the company has pushed the frontiers of technology by introducing 80 new products since the last Comdex, in addition to 20 industry solutions, converting standalone analog products into digital solutions.

Thoman said the company's pending acquisition of Tektronix will complete the company's colour printing range.

Separately, Gerald Perkel, president of Tektronix, said that his company is still finalising branding and how the companies will mesh once the deal is done.