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Pitney Bowes Adds ClickStamp Online To SoHo Market Solutions

    STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 1999--

    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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