Several hundred IBM employees in the Triangle now work for Toshiba.

The two technology firms closed Wednesday on the $850 million deal through which Toshiba acquired Big Blue’s Retail Store Solutions business, which is based in the Triangle.

The group will continue to be based in North Carolina and will be led by Steven Ladwig, the IBM executive who had directed the RSS group.

In an FAQ about the deal, Toshiba said RSS management would stay in place “with some additions.”

“I believe our move to Toshiba will unlock amazing new possibilities for our clients – and shoppers everywhere,” Ladwig said in a statement published at the website set up for the new company.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) continues to hold a 19.9 percent interest in the retail business group, which is now called Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. However, Toshiba will acquire IBM’s interest on the third anniversary of the deal, the companies said.

The deal was announced in April.

IBM’s sale is the second in six years of a major business unit based in RTP to a foreign firm. In 2005, IBM sold its PC group to Lenovo. That deal closed in 2006. Lenovo operates its executive headquarters in RTP and employs more than 2,000 people across North Carolina.

The RSS unit produces and supports point-of-sale systems for retailers worldwide. It generated about $1.15 billion in revenue last year.

Toshiba says the unit will include some 450 employees in the U.S. and 500 overall spread across Canada, Mexico and Australia. 

“Today Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions begins business operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Australia,” Ladwig said in a statement. “We’re thrilled with the opportunity to combine the strengths of two respected IT leaders, and we look forward to serving a global clientele with innovative, integrated, in-store retail solutions.”

Toshiba also signed a multi-year contract to join IBM’s Smarter Commerce business partner program.

“Today represents a significant milestone in the history of Toshiba Tec as IBM’s RSS business becomes part of our company and Toshiba Tec will become an IBM Premier Business Partner for Smarter Commerce,” said Mamoru Suzuki, president and CEO of Toshiba. “Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions will allow Toshiba Tec to establish a leading global company offering high quality solutions to the retail market. Our goal is to delight our customers as we continue to expand our presence in the worldwide retail market.”

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