Contact: Monica Hand or Sandra Harding
at (202) 268-2155
MHand@email.usps.gov
Internet: http://www.usps.com/ibip/

WASHINGTON – The U. S. Postal Service announced today that a new product design seeking PC Postage certification has been approved for market testing. The product, StampMaster Internet Postage, does not require additional hardware on the customer’s computer. It is being developed by StampMaster, Inc., a new Internet e-commerce provider located in Westlake Village, Calif.

This new form of postage, technically referred to as an Information Based Indicia (IBI), contains digitized mail processing information and security-related data. Products are being designed for PC Postage certification to enable customers to access postage purchase over the Internet and print IBI postage off a computer using standard ink jet and laser jet printers.

Different companies will take different approaches to the opportunity, but all are held to U.S. Postal Service requirements to ensure security and appropriate interface with Postal Service operations.

In response to draft specifications, StampMaster proposed an IBI alternate, Internet-based design where no additional hardware is required on the users computer. StampMaster's Internet Postage allows customers to download software from its Web site to connect their computer to StampMaster's secure server site. The product design incorporates required security and accounting functions at the secure StampMaster server site, as opposed to requiring a hardware device at the user’s computer.

StampMaster's product passed the first phase of the Postal Service's requirements for certification by meeting controlled laboratory conditions for secure postage. Their product is now authorized to proceed into market testing. All products must complete exhaustive Postal Service testing and evaluation to ensure operational reliability, financial integrity and security to become PC Postage certified for commercial distribution. The postage purchased and printed with the products is U.S. postage in accordance with Postal Service published rates. All fees associated with product purchase or use are determined solely by the product and service providers.

With StampMaster Internet Postage, users of Microsoft Word can now print letters, envelopes and postage in one simple process. After customers download free StampMaster software from sites on the Internet they can add StampMaster Internet Postage features to Microsoft Word by simply checking a box. A new option will appear in the Word Tools Menu, enabling the user to print postage from within the Microsoft Word application. StampMaster’s software automatically extracts an address from Word documents and prints postage directly to an envelope or label along with that address.

StampMaster Internet Postage also offers the option to print postage directly from entries in contact management programs that use the Windows address book format such as Microsoft Outlook . Users will simply select contacts in their existing address book and with a single click print postage and addresses onto envelopes or labels. StampMaster’s recent field testing conducted with Beta customers revealed that integration of Internet Postage with popular applications to streamline preparation of mail was the most requested feature by a factor of 5:1.

"Adding Internet Postage to Microsoft Word and the Windows address book are excellent examples of the way StampMaster can seamlessly integrate with every popular software application that results in the printing of an address," said John M. Payne, StampMaster’s President and CEO. "And because our unique server-based architecture requires no hardware on the user’s PC, StampMaster Internet Postage can be bundled with hundreds of popular applications at no extra cost to partners or users."

StampMaster uses Microsoft BackOffice technologies throughout its secure end-to-end system. StampMaster’s servers, running on Windows NT 4.0 Server, provide the highest levels of government-certified cryptography (FIPS 140-1 Level 4) to create the secure e-commerce channel. Microsoft SQL Server delivers high-speed and reliable data access and storage. On the client, StampMaster uses ActiveX technology to integrate into Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, the Windows Address Book and many other applications.

StampMaster is Beta testing its Internet Postage product in the Washington, D.C. area as part of the USPS’ Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP). Recruitment of testers for the expansion of Beta to the San Francisco and Tampa Bay areas has already begun. All product add-ins and software integration must be authorized by the USPS to ensure security and operational integrity prior to inclusion in the Beta test and commercial release. Media and consumers interested in participating in StampMaster’s Beta test should visit the company’s Web site (http://www.stampmaster.com). For more information on the IBI Program, please the visit the USPS Web site at http://www.usps.gov/ibip.

About StampMaster

StampMaster is a leading Internet e-commerce provider that delivers highly secure transaction-oriented Internet services for consumer, small business and corporate users. The company was founded in 1996 with the mission of using the power of the digital age to streamline the way consumers and businesses purchase and apply postage. StampMaster is located at 2900 31^st Street, Ste. 150, Santa Monica, CA, 90405, tel (310) 450-1444, fax (310) 450-7337 and http://www.stampmaster.com. The company is privately held and funded through venture capital investments from Brentwood Venture Capital, Enterprise Partners, and Forrest, Binkley and Brown.

StampMaster is a trademark of StampMaster, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Holly Fisher
Alexander Communications
(415) 923-1660
hfisher@alexandercom.com