from 2001 through 2005, a period of expansion occurred as first data acquired companies around the globe and in the us, including, in 2001, the acquisition of paysys international and their visionplus payment software system. visionplus was followed by a $6.6 billion merger with concord efs, inc. in 2004, which added the star network and pin-based debit acceptance at more than 1.9 million atm and retail locations. additional acquisitions and strategic relationships included govone, eoneglobal, paymap, inc., and taxware. nevertheless, first data eventually divested, closed down or absorbed these businesses.