How Canon Financial Services moved from legacy tech to record growth
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Canon Financial Services (CFS) is the captive leasing arm of Canon, offering flexible financing for Canon imaging and printing equipment throughout the United States. As part of a globally recognized brand founded on innovation, CFS needed a technology platform that matched its reputation for reliability and excellence. However, over two‑decade‑old systems were creating costly delays, manual workarounds, and barriers to serving new customer segments.
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The issues faced
CFS was struggling with multiple operational challenges:
- Legacy technology: The core software was 20–25 years behind current standards, lacking modern APIs, reporting tools, and user‑friendly interfaces.
- Slow processing: Simple updates required 2–3 days, and standard initiatives routinely dragged on for six months.
- Rigid workflows: Customizing the system for new products or promotions meant manual scripts and patchwork fixes.
- Steep learning curve: Employee training took significantly longer before they could perform routine tasks.
- Growth constraints: CFS could not enter emerging market segments or offer innovative plans without rewriting the legacy code.
- Customer service gaps: Delays in billing and proposals impacted customer satisfaction, causing competitive disadvantage.
The Odessa solution
Odessa’s modern asset finance platform delivered every capability CFS needed:
Intuitive modern interface
A user-friendly system that simplified daily operations and sped up user onboarding.
Advanced processing capabilities
The platform enabled quick processing of tasks that previously required 2-3 days.
Flexible customization options
Robust configuration capabilities to tailor the system to specific business processes and requirements.
Comprehensive data management
The system offered robust export/import capabilities, making data manipulation and bulk changes efficient.
Real-time responsiveness
Odessa enabled real-time access to information and rapid response to inquiries.
IT empowerment
CFS’ internal IT department was trained to make modifications independently.
How Odessa implemented the solution
The implementation balanced both immediate improvements and long-term strategic enablement:
- Collaborative partnership: Odessa worked closely with CFS across all levels, from leadership to operations.
- Comprehensive training: Both end users and the IT team were trained on the platform.
- Phased migration: Implementation was staged to minimize disruption and maximize value.
- Robust support: Multiple support channels ensured timely access to expertise.
- Ongoing optimization: Continuous improvements were made to align with evolving business needs.
The impact
CFS achieved its best year ever, driven by rapid rollout of new leasing options:
Accelerated delivery
Six-month projects now take just six weeks.
New market expansion
CFS can now access different areas and marketplaces that were previously out of reach.
Overnight billing
Meter-billing adjustments that once took days are processed by the next morning.
Inside the transformation
Conclusion
With Odessa, Canon Financial Services modernized its core operations, replacing legacy processes with a scalable, automated, and compliant platform. The result: faster workflows, stronger control, and a foundation built for continuous growth. With Odessa as a long-term partner, CFS is well equipped to adapt to market shifts and expand with confidence.
