Xerox Expands Legal Services, Buys Smart Data - Analyst Blog

Xerox Corporation XRX recently acquired e-discovery services expert Smart Data Consulting, a strategic move that is expected to advance Xerox's Litigation Services division. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Acquiree

Smart Data provides technology consulting and e-discovery services to firms to ensure successful and defensible litigation management. The company offers data collection, review and document protection services using Viewpoint software, an e-discovery platform developed by Lateral Data, an operating unit of Xerox.

With a proven track record of high expertise in Viewpoint, Smart Data enables corporates and law firms worldwide to consolidate databases and analytics across the entire e-discovery cycle. Its clientele includes some of the world's largest law and boutique litigation firms.
    
Synergies

Responding to increasing market demand and rising corporate need for cost-efficiency in litigation, Xerox intends to merge its technical expertise with Smart Data's analytics competency and customer-centric panel of experts.

The acquisition will render Xerox capable of providing its clients with streamlined services that will trim down the risks and expenses associated with litigation. Viewpoint will simplify the entire e-discovery process for Xerox's clientele, using just one platform for the whole spectrum of tasks, ranging from data collection, case assessment, and processing and database creation to analytics and litigation support.

Viewpoint aces other e-discovery software as it integrates the entire range of capabilities, eliminating the need for third-party software or plug-ins. The acquisition supplements Xerox's existing suite of services, and has resulted in consolidation of the playing field in the e-discovery market.

Xerox presently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Other stocks in the sector worth reckoning include Datalink Corp. DTLK, j2 Global, Inc. JCOM and Guidewire Software, Inc. GWRE, all of which sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).