E-Stamp Expands Online Postage Offering, Delivers First Browser-Based Solution to US Postal Service
Business Wire - August 31, 1998 08:12
%E-STAMP %CALIFORNIA %MASSACHUSETTS %COMPUTER %ELECTRONIC %COMED %GOVERNMENT %INTERACTIVE %MULTIMEDIA %INTERNET V%BW P%BW
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 31, 1998--E-Stamp Corporation, the online postage company, today announced browser-based access to E-Stamp Internet Postage(tm), its online postage service. Unlike other vendor solutions that require a Windows application software download, E-Stamp's browser solution is HTML-based, offering users immediate access to postage without forcing them to endure long or failed downloads, computer viruses or corrupted files from software downloads.
The E-Stamp browser solution was delivered to the US Postal Service for regulatory review five months after E-Stamp received its landmark approval as the first company authorized to sell postage via the Internet. Five hundred companies are participating in the E-Stamp Internet Postage beta program and national rollout of this service is expected to begin by the end of this year.
"Flexibility will be important as online postage evolves and customer preferences range from desktop applications to Internet browsers," said Raymond Boggs, Director of Small Business and Home Office Research for IDC, in Framingham, MA. "E-Stamp's integration of postal services into mainstream tools and applications offers small businesses and home offices a variety of solutions to grow with their needs."
Today, E-Stamp Internet Postage customers are buying postage over the Internet and printing it from popular desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, made possible by postage-enabling technology from E-Stamp. Pending US Postal Service approval of its browser solution, E-Stamp customers will be able to purchase and print postage from a Web browser, without the need to download any application software or attach any hardware to the computer.
After discussing a Web-based approach with the Postal Service in mid-1996, E-Stamp demonstrated a prototype in late 1997, which culminated in today's delivery of the first HTML-based Internet Postage solution.
"We are only at the early stages of the evolution of this market," said Sunir Kapoor, president and CEO of E-Stamp Corporation. "From the beginning, our mission has been to make online postage available everywhere - from kiosks in public spaces, to postage servers in enterprise software applications to high volume mail production processes - all around the world. Now, customers have a new way to access the E-Stamp Internet Postage service, bringing E-Stamp one step closer to its goal of creating an Internet postage utility."
As an easy entry point to E-Stamp's online postage services, the browser option is targeted at customers who have low mail volume and a persistent Internet connection. The free browser option will allow customers to try and use E-Stamp Internet Postage without any registration or monthly fees. This service will be available from E-Stamp's secure electronic commerce server, accessible via its Web site, www.estamp.com.
E-Stamp's browser solution is a result of E-Stamp's commitment to develop a range of online postage services. This approach is supported by extensive customer research revealing that different businesses have distinct mailing behaviors, Internet-connectivity patterns, and desktop software preferences.
For customers who value seamless desktop integration and printing offline, E-Stamp's desktop software product tested extremely well. Those with lower mailing volume, frequent connections to the Internet, and MAC or UNIX operating systems, indicated preference for the Company's new browser-based access to its service.
Beyond expanding its domestic services, E-Stamp has leveraged its first approved status with the US Postal Service to secure relationships with key marketing, distribution and financial partners such as Microsoft, Compaq Computer and international mailing industry leader, Francotyp-Postalia. In addition, E-Stamp has been working with International Postal Authorities to make E-Stamp Internet Postage available globally.
About E-Stamp
E-Stamp Corporation is committed to transforming the way people purchase and use postage by making online postal services ubiquitous and hassle-free. E-Stamp is the first company to develop and market a secure Internet-based software solution that enables customers to generate online postage from their existing PCs and printers. E-Stamp Internet Postage is the first solution approved by the U.S. Postal Service for beta testing. The privately held company maintains its competitive edge with a customer-focused product, intellectual property, a tailored business model, and an experienced management team comprised of veteran Oracle and Microsoft executives.
Headquartered in Palo Alto, the company can be reached at (650) 843-8000. To receive information via email, address your request to info@estamp.com, or access the company's Web site at estamp.com to sign up for beta testing.
Note to Editors:
E-Stamp, estamp, the estamp logo, and E-Stamp Internet Postage are either trademarks or registered trademarks of E-Stamp Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT and/or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft. Compaq and the names of Compaq products referenced herein are either trademarks and/or service marks or registered trademarks and /or service marks of Compaq. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: E-Stamp Corp., Palo Alto
Leslie Thomas, 650/842-6468
leslie.thomas@estamp.com
www.estamp.com
or
Interactive Public Relations
Amy Grady, 415/703-0400 ext. 227
www.interactive-pr.com
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