Staples Expands Into IT Outsourcing for Small Businesses

Staples (SPLS), which has been aggressively expanding beyond its retail roots, is now launching a technology unit that can serve as an outsourced info-tech department for small businesses. The office-products retailer's new Staples Technology Solutions will handle tech products and services for business customers, ranging from computer equipment and printer maintenance to managing all the company's IT needs. In the small-business segment -- companies of 10 to 250 employees -- Staples could provide a full IT department.