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Pitney Bowes Adds ClickStamp Online To SoHo Market Solutions
Online Service for Purchasing and Printing Postage
Receives USPS Approval to Begin Beta Testing
Pitney Bowes Office Direct, a division of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI), has received approval from the U.S. Postal Service to begin beta testing its second Internet postage product, an online service for purchasing and printing postage.
ClickStamp(TM) Online is the most recent addition to the suite of
postage solutions Pitney Bowes will offer to the small office, home
office (SoHo) market. It enables users to purchase and print postage,
as needed, by directly connecting with the Internet. Its sister
Internet postage solution, ClickStamp(TM) Plus is currently in Phase
II beta testing. ClickStamp(TM) Plus stores pre-paid postage in a
Postage Vault that is attached to a user's PC and can be refilled 24
hours a day via PC modem. Pitney Bowes Office Direct has created both
solutions to meet the diverse needs of small and home offices.
ClickStamp(TM) Online allows Internet users to download postage
directly from a web site, and print an information-rich "digital
stamp" or Information Based Indicia (IBI) directly on envelopes using
a common ink jet or laser printer. For added impact, users can select
and print a marketing message alongside the digital stamp. With
ClickStamp(TM) Online users can also manage multiple address books,
verify addresses, and import/export mailing lists.
"ClickStamp(TM) Online is an ideal solution for those who are
regularly online and who want the convenience and professional look of
metered postage," said Pat Brand, vice president of marketing for
Pitney Bowes.
SoHo Research Reveals Need for Multiple Solutions
"Our research shows that one size does not fit all when it comes
to the SoHo market," adds Brand. "While some of our customers
appreciate the convenience of downloading pre-paid postage from the
Internet at regular intervals, those who are more regularly connected
to the Internet may prefer an online solution. The two ClickStamp(TM)
products bring together advanced patented technologies created by
Pitney Bowes over nearly two decades with a thorough understanding of
the needs of today's small business owner."
To address the postage metering needs of those small business
customers who are not online or who don't wish to tie up a computer to
print a stamp, Pitney Bowes offers the popular Personal Post(TM)
postage meter. Using a built-in modem for downloading postage by
phone, this stand-alone system can be refilled with postage in less
than 30 seconds, 24 hours a day. It is available at retail and through
direct response television, direct mail, telemarketing and the
Internet at http://www.pitneybowes.com/soho.
Pitney Bowes Inc. is a $4.22 billion global provider of informed
mail and messaging management. For more information about Pitney
Bowes' full range of services and products, please visit
http://www.pitneybowes.com or call 1-800-640-7058. Customers
interested in ordering a Personal Post(TM) postage meter or to sign up
to beta test one of Pitney Bowes' new products can visit
http://www.pitneybowes.com/soho or call 1-800-446-6406.
Editor's note: "PC Postage" is a certification mark owned by the
U.S. Postal Service.
--30--cf/ny*
CONTACT: Beth Ghiloni
Pitney Bowes Inc.
(203) 326-6148
ghilonel@pb.com
or
Kim Assalone
Brodeur Porter Novelli
(914) 821-2284
kassalone@brodeur.com
KEYWORD: NEW YORK CONNECTICUT
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