Coastal Business Systems
Coastal Business Systems is a privately held, founder-led managed print services and office technology provider serving SMB through enterprise customers across Northern California from offices in Eureka, Chico, and Redding, distributing Sharp and Lexmark hardware alongside DocStar document management software.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersEureka, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Coastal Business Systems does
Coastal Business Systems is a privately held, founder-led office technology and managed print services provider serving Northern California from three offices in Eureka, Chico, and Redding. Founded in 1981 by CEO Mike Dominick, the company resells and services hardware from Sharp (its flagship vendor, for which it holds Platinum Level Service Provider status for three consecutive years) and Lexmark, and integrates PaperCut print management software and DocStar's AI-enabled document management platform. Its core technology stack includes multifunction printers, real-time device monitoring with automated supply replenishment, and workflow automation products spanning AI-powered document capture, accounts payable automation, and no-code web forms.
The business model combines one-time hardware sales (printers, copiers, scanners, interactive displays) with recurring managed print services billed under a consolidated monthly invoice model, plus subscription-based document management software serving over 2,000 companies from SMB through enterprise. Go-to-market is direct field sales through a team of eight representatives, complemented by annual tech shows, content marketing, and community engagement across Humboldt, Chico, and Redding markets. CBS differentiates on regional density, 40-plus years of local relationships, and a "standardization with OEM supplies" MPS approach that it claims delivers 20-30% savings versus typical managed print models. Customer concentration is geographically focused on Northern California, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts or external investors.
Coastal Business Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Coastal Business Systems
- Legal name
- Coastal Business Systems
- Website
- https://coastalbusinesssystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Coastal Business Systems is a privately held, founder-led managed print services and office technology provider serving SMB through enterprise customers across Northern California from offices in Eureka, Chico, and Redding, distributing Sharp and Lexmark hardware alongside DocStar document management software.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Coastal Business Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Eureka
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Coastal Business Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of office equipment including printers, copiers, multifunction printers (MFPs), scanners, fax machines, and interactive digital displays from major brands like Sharp and Lexmark
- Managed Print Services (MPS): Ongoing managed print services with needs assessment, maintenance, replacement of hardware and accessories, fleet monitoring, and automated supply delivery. Consolidated into a single monthly invoice for predictable budgeting
- Document Management Solutions: Document management system, workflow automation, and process management solutions serving over 2,000 companies from small businesses to enterprise organizations
- Professional Services: Implementation, training, and ongoing support services for office technology solutions
- PaperCut Software Solutions: Print management software solutions including print tracking, secure print release, and environmental sustainability features
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Monthly | Managed Print Services - Consolidated monthly billing |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Print Assessment and Audit Services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Coastal Business Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Coastal Business Systems sells and services office equipment (printers, copiers, multifunction printers, scanners, fax machines and interactive displays) from manufacturers such as Sharp and Lexmark, and delivers Managed Print Services covering fleet monitoring, maintenance, automated supply replenishment, and hardware replacement. The company also provides document management and workflow automation solutions (built around the DocStar ECM platform) including AI-powered document capture, accounts payable automation, and web forms. Offerings are delivered as turnkey hardware, recurring services, and software subscriptions billed via consolidated monthly invoices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sharp Office Equipment
- Lexmark Printers and Desktop Solutions
- PaperCut Print Management Software
- Document Management and Workflow Automation (DocStar ECM)
- Managed Print Services (MPS)
- Sharp BP Line MFP Series
- Sharp MX-7081 and MX-8081 High-Speed MFPs
- Sharp Synappx mDesk (Hybrid Work Collaboration Software)
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduce supply inventories by up to 80% through automated supply delivery programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Coastal Business Systems
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Coastal Business Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Coastal Business Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.
- DocStarcoreCBS partnered with DocStar, a leading document management and automation technology provider, to deliver tools that enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and improve team collaboration for clients. DocStar provides enterprise-wide document management with features including AI-powered document capture and accounts payable automation.
- SharpflagshipSharp is the primary equipment manufacturer for CBS, providing multifunction printers, copiers, interactive displays, and other office technology. CBS has been recognized as Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider for multiple consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025) and is a premier Sharp dealer on the North Coast.
- LexmarkcoreLexmark is a key hardware partner providing printers and desktop solutions. CBS leverages Lexmark products in their managed print services offerings, utilizing new printers with original equipment manufacturer supplies for 20%-30% cost savings versus typical managed print models.
- PaperCutsupportingPaperCut provides print management software integrated into CBS offerings, featuring print tracking, secure print release, and environmental sustainability tools for enterprise-wide deployment.
- Infinite Consulting ServicessupportingInfinite Consulting Services partnered with CBS for the 2025 Tech Show to provide strategic advice and tailored solutions for organizations seeking digital transformation and workflow optimization.
- Stewart TelecommunicationssupportingStewart Telecommunications participated as an expert consultant at CBS tech shows, providing industry insights and tailored solutions for organizations exploring office technology improvements.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Coastal Business Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HP Inc. Global incumbent offering printers, MFPs, and managed print services through direct sales and partner channels. Overlaps with CBS's hardware-led MPS model, with significantly greater scale, R&D, and channel resources.
- Xerox: Global incumbent in office printing, managed print services, and document technology with a much larger direct and dealer channel than CBS. Comparable MPS and document workflow offerings, but operates at vastly greater scale and broader geographic reach.
- Sharp Electronics Corporation: OEM manufacturer of CBS's flagship MFPs, interactive displays, and Synappx collaboration software, and the grantor of CBS's Platinum Service Provider status. A vendor-partner of CBS that also competes indirectly via its own direct national accounts and dealer network.
Direct peers
- Kyocera Document Solutions: Manufacturer and channel seller of ECOSYS printers, MFPs, and managed document services. Directly comparable to CBS in providing hardware-plus-services solutions to SMB and mid-market customers through dealer and direct channels.
- Konica Minolta: Global manufacturer and direct provider of multifunction printers, managed print services, and document management solutions. Highly comparable to CBS's Sharp/Lexmark-based MPS and workflow offerings, and notably CBS founder Mike Dominick served as Konica National Dealer Council President in 1994.
- Toshiba Business Solutions: Provider of multifunction printers, managed print services, and document management solutions through a regional dealer network in the U.S. Direct competitor to CBS in office equipment and MPS with comparable mid-market customer focus.
- Ricoh USA: Major provider of multifunction printers, managed print services, and document workflow automation serving SMB through enterprise. Competes head-to-head with CBS in the office equipment and managed services space with similar hardware-plus-services-plus-software go-to-market.
- Canon USA: Leading manufacturer of office imaging hardware (printers, copiers, MFPs) and provider of managed document services. Comparable product portfolio and target customer segments to CBS's Sharp-centric offering.
Emerging players
- DocuWare: Cloud-based document management and workflow automation platform. Comparable to CBS's DocStar-based AI document capture and AP automation offering, but delivered as a standalone software vendor rather than through an MPS-led services model.
- Laserfiche: Enterprise content management and workflow automation vendor with AI-powered document capture capabilities. Overlaps with CBS's document management and AP automation practice, particularly for SMB and mid-market customers seeking process automation beyond print.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Coastal Business Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCoastal Business Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Coastal Business Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Coastal Business Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Coastal Business Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Coastal Business Systems
What does Coastal Business Systems do?
Coastal Business Systems sells and services office equipment (printers, copiers, multifunction printers, scanners, fax machines and interactive displays) from manufacturers such as Sharp and Lexmark, and delivers Managed Print Services covering fleet monitoring, maintenance, automated supply replenishment, and hardware replacement. The company also provides document management and workflow automation solutions (built around the DocStar ECM platform) including AI-powered document capture, accounts payable automation, and web forms. Offerings are delivered as turnkey hardware, recurring services, and software subscriptions billed via consolidated monthly invoices.
Is Coastal Business Systems a public or private company?
Coastal Business Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Coastal Business Systems founded?
Coastal Business Systems was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Coastal Business Systems based?
Coastal Business Systems is headquartered in Eureka, United States, in the North America region.
How does Coastal Business Systems make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are managed Print Services (MPS), document Management Solutions, professional Services and paperCut Software Solutions.
Who are Coastal Business Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HP Inc., Xerox and Sharp Electronics Corporation. Direct peers are Kyocera Document Solutions, Konica Minolta, Toshiba Business Solutions, Ricoh USA and Canon USA. Emerging players are DocuWare and Laserfiche.
Does Coastal Business Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Coastal Business Systems.