Exhibit 9


           IKON AND GE COMPLETE TRANSACTION FOR U.S. LEASING BUSINESS

          ENTER INTO DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT FOR CANADIAN LEASE PORTFOLIO



          IKON Board Authorizes Up To $250 Million in Share Repurchase


Valley Forge, Pennsylvania - March 31, 2004 - IKON Office Solutions, Inc.
(NYSE:IKN) today announced the completion of its previously announced
transaction with GE Commercial Finance ("GE") for its U.S. leasing business. As
part of the transaction, and subject to post-closing adjustments, IKON will sell
certain assets and liabilities of IOS Capital LLC, IKON's captive leasing
subsidiary in the U.S., including a portion of its lease portfolio and the
transfer of its facilities, systems and processes to GE. In addition, IKON has
entered into a Program Agreement with GE for funding and servicing of IKON's
lease originations in the U.S., making GE the Company's preferred
lease-financing source in the U.S.

The Company also announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with
GE to sell the Company's approximate CN$220 million Canadian lease portfolio to
GE. As part of this transaction, GE will also become IKON's preferred
lease-financing source for its Canadian operations, with IKON to receive an
origination fee of three percent on all new lease originations funded by GE. The
sale is subject to required regulatory approvals and customary conditions and is
expected to close in the third quarter of Fiscal 2004.

"To ensure IKON continues to be the customer's single and most reliable source
for integrated document management solutions, our lease financing offering will
continue with GE under the name, IKON Financial ServicesSM," stated Matthew J.
Espe, IKON's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "IKON remains committed to a
strong leasing program with a high quality portfolio, industry-leading financing
programs, and exceptional customer service."

As previously announced, the Company intends to use the gross proceeds from
these transactions to pay transaction-related deferred taxes; repay borrowings,
including the Company's lease conduit facilities; strengthen its balance sheet;
and, for general corporate purposes. Consistent with these plans, the Company
recently announced a tender offer to repurchase up to $250 million in aggregate
principal amount of its outstanding $345 million 7.25% Notes due 2008.

Also in connection with the transaction, the Company has terminated its existing
$300 million credit facility and is in negotiations with lenders to replace the
facility on terms that provide greater financial flexibility, including the
ability to repurchase shares. As a result, IKON's Board of Directors has
authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding
shares of common stock, replacing the Fiscal 2000 share repurchase
authorization. Share repurchase activity will be accomplished through public
and/or private transactions and will be based upon market conditions and other
considerations.

"This alliance marks a significant achievement in our ongoing effort to improve
IKON's financial flexibility, operating performance, and future growth
opportunities," continued Espe. "Over time, the U.S. and Canadian transactions
will substantially transform our balance sheet, while simultaneously providing
us with additional capital to bring value to our shareholders and accelerate
growth in our core business of document management solutions. With the recently





announced debt tender offer and increased authorization for share repurchases,
we have already begun to take action toward our long-term goals and will
continue to move aggressively to bring additional value to our shareholders."

As a result of the closing of this transaction, the Company's previously
communicated 2004 earnings expectations of $.82 to $.87 per diluted share and
cash from operations of $325 to $350 million for the full fiscal year will be
revised. The Company plans to review the transaction and its financial
implications during its second quarter conference call scheduled for April 29,
2004. In the near term, the ability to attain accretion as a result of the U.S.
and Canadian transactions will largely depend on the price, timing and quantity
of debt reductions and share repurchase activity. Additional details regarding
the April 29 conference call and webcast will be included in a future
announcement.

For the second quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company expects to record a
pretax loss on the transactions of approximately $13 to $18 million, consisting
primarily of accounting, legal and consulting fees and other miscellaneous
expenses associated with the transaction.

About IKON
IKON Office Solutions (www.ikon.com) integrates imaging systems and services
that help businesses manage document workflow and increase efficiency. As the
world's largest independent distribution channel for copier and printer
technologies, IKON offers best-in-class systems from leading manufacturers such
as Canon, Ricoh and HP and service support through its team of 7,000 service
professionals worldwide. IKON also represents the industry's broadest portfolio
of document management services: outsourcing and professional services, on-site
copy and mailroom management, fleet management, off-site digital printing
solutions, and customized workflow and imaging application development. With
Fiscal 2003 revenues of $4.7 billion, IKON has approximately 600 locations
throughout North America and Europe.

About GE Commercial Finance
GE Commercial Finance offers businesses of all sizes an array of financial
services and products worldwide. With approximately $217 billion in assets and
an expertise in the mid-market segment, GE Commercial Finance provides loans,
operating leases, financing programs and innovative structured capital to help
customers grow. A wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company, GE
Commercial Finance is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. GE is a
diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations
worldwide.

This news release includes information which may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating
to the expected closing date of the Canadian transaction; expected proceeds from
the transactions; use of proceeds from the transactions; expected benefits from
the transactions, including balance sheet improvements, financial flexibility
and growth; plans to replace the credit facility; and, expected loss and fees
associated with the transactions. Although IKON believes the expectations
contained in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurances that such expectations will prove correct. Such forward-looking
statements are based upon management's current plans or expectations and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
risks and uncertainties relating to conducting operations in a competitive
environment and a changing industry; delays, difficulties, management
transitions and employment issues associated with consolidation of, and/or
changes in business operations; the implementation, timing and cost of the
e-IKON initiative; risks and uncertainties associated with existing or future
vendor relationships; and general economic conditions. Certain additional risks
and uncertainties are set forth in IKON's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a consequence of these and other
risks and uncertainties, IKON's current plans, anticipated actions and future
financial condition and results may differ materially from those expressed in
any forward-looking statements.

                                     (GIKN)


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