CENTRIC BUSINESS SYSTEMS AWARDED
EIGHTH ELITE DEALER AWARD

Superior Sales, Customer Service and
Innovation Earns Firm Distinguished Honor

Owings Mills, MD (Sept. 28, 2007) – The three principles of responsiveness, communication and ownership have earned Centric Business Systems its eighth honor as an Elite Dealer. The industry award, offered by OfficeDEALER magazine, is presented annually to the leading office equipment, office products and office furniture dealers in the United States.

Centric Business Systems was among 114 other businesses named Elite Dealers, an honor that has Rick Bastinelli, president of Centric, proud of his team. “I’m very pleased that we’ve been recognized for our commitment to superior products and customer service. Everyone at Centric is focused on raising the bar in our day-to-day operations and it has really paid off.”

Centric’s customer-retention program, CustomerFIRST, offers customers similar office equipment guarantees that other dealers provide, however, the CustomerFIRSTphilosophy pushes the limits of service far beyond the standard. Bastinelli developed the three principles of the CustomerFIRST program using employee feedback, believing employees would be more apt to embrace and implement a program they had the opportunity to help develop. His philosophy has proven true; Centric has enjoyed 15 years of double-digit growth and continues to be a Maryland leader in office equipment solutions.

CENTRIC BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION

Rick Bastinelli, President of Centric Business Systems, recently announced the company's acquisition of Maryland Copier Company, Inc. As a result, the Owings Mills-based provider of business equipment will take ownership of the sales and service of Maryland Copier Company, Inc.,
a Laurel-based company.

“Our growth is important so we can continually offer our customers outstanding service and our employees with exciting career opportunities,” states Bastinelli.

Acquiring Maryland Copier Company, Inc. allows Centric to increase their capabilities and strengthen their commitment to providing better service to clients with offices in both Baltimore and the nation's capital. Maryland Copier Company, Inc. is authorized to work in the Washington D.C. area, a marketplace that Bastinelli is eager to expand into. Both companies are distributors of Sharp products, which is another key component when merging a client base.

About 25 employees from Maryland Copier Company, Inc., including sales people, technicians and administrative staff, have made the transition to Centric. The company's top executive, Jack Miller, will remain on board for several months as a consultant during the transition.

“We are confident that the acquisition will reposition us as one of the leading office technology providers not only in Baltimore, but in the D.C. area as well,” states Bastinelli.

CENTRIC RECOGNIZED;
ONE OF THE BEST & BRIGHTEST IN 2006

For the past 40 years, Centric Business Systems has achieved award-winning success in the office technology industry and 2006 was no different. By attaining a high level of sales and customer service, Centric was awarded with two of the most distinguished awards in the industry.

The Elite Dealer Award, presented by Office Magazine, recognizes select dealerships nationwide for implementing innovative programs, creating unique marketing campaigns and embracing new solutions to keep pace with evolving customer needs. Being a top seller is only one piece of the puzzle. To be an Elite Dealer, a company must demonstrate a strong commitment to their customers. They must provide a rewarding working environment for their employees. They must represent an entrepreneurial spirit that sets them apart from their competitors. For 7 consecutive years, Centric has proved to possess this winning combination and is a proud recipient of the award in 2006!

The Hyakuman Kai Dealer Award, presented by the Sharp Corporation, recognizes dealerships that attain an “elite” status in sales and service. Centric was 1 of 19 dealers nationwide to achieve this honor out of hundreds of independent dealers that sell Sharp’s office technology. Sharp is globally recognized for providing the best and most innovative document management products, integrated software and industry-leading security and support programs. Centric is a proud distributor of Sharp’s digital copiers, facsimiles, printers and document management software.

CENTRIC RECEIVES RECOGNITION IN NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS

ImageSource Magazine, December 2006
“What’s in a Name: Rebranding to Get Recentered” by Sand Sinclair

To remain competitive in the office technology industry, Copy World had to evaluate the past and prepare for the future. Sand Sinclair provides an in depth picture of the strategic thinking behind a new name and a new vision.
View article…
http://www.imagesourcemag.com/article.asp?id=1368&type=article

Office Technology Magazine, September 2006
“New Name, New Direction: Baltimore’s Centric Positioned for the Future” by Dustin Phillips

After spending 33 years branding Copy World, changing names was no easy task. Author Dustin Phillips provides a glimpse into some of the challenges President Rick Bastinelli faced along the way and the steps he took to ensure the transition was a success.
View article…
http://devbta.i4a.com/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=1765

Image Magazine, 2006
“Centric’s New Name is Charm City’s Model Marketing Effort”

Why the name Centric? For years, the company was successful under the Copy World name. Why change a good thing? As the industry evolved, the name did not adequately portray the company’s image as a full service provider. The company needed a name that symbolized the wide-range of innovative products they offer and matched the digital evolution of the industry.