Small Businesses No Longer Have To Brave the Rain, Snow, Sleet and Hail!

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1996--

Pitney Bowes Introduces the Convenient Personal Post Office(TM) Postage Metering System; the Affordable Alternative to Running Out of Stamps

Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) announced today the introduction of the Personal Post

Office(TM), an inexpensive, simple to use postage metering system specifically designed to help SoHo (small office/home office) businesses more conveniently process their outgoing mail. Today, 85% of all businesses do not use postage meters. most meter users are larger businesses. The Personal Post Office(TM) is a convenient and affordable way for small businesses to meter their mail.

"Pitney Bowes has adapted cutting edge technology to give every small and home office an affordable, sleek and quiet postage metering system to handle their outgoing mail," reports Michael A. Stecyk, Vice President, Worldwide Product Management for Pitney Bowes Mailing Systems.

For example, the Personal Post Office(TM) is the first postage meter in the world to use ink jet printing technology. This enables the whisper-quiet operation and high-quality printing demanded by smaller businesses.

In addition, in a fully automatic process that takes about 30 seconds, the Personal Post Office(TM) electronic meter can be conveniently refilled with postage, over the telephone, 24 hours a day using a built-in modem. Now smaller businesses need never run out of postage, ensuring that those important letters or packages can be mailed without delay.

For accurate record keeping, expense reimbursement, tax purposes, etc., the system will print out a receipt immediately after each refill transaction. The unit also features automatic mail dating, a convenience now only available on more expensive systems, and this feature virtually eliminates the possibility of improperly dated mail being returned by the Postal Service.

There are other powerful benefits beyond convenience. Smaller businesses can now advertise on every envelope using the 8 pre-loaded messages that come with every system. A customized message like a company logo or special offer can also be designed and installed to generate additional sales.

Many small businesses chronically overspend on mail to avoid the inconvenience of going to the Post Office. The Personal Post Office(TM) solves this problem with an integrated electronic scale that handles up to five pounds. According to an independent study, accurate weighing and application of correct postage can save up to 20 percent in overposted mail.

Today, small business customers have to prepay for postage. Customers frequently forget to keep their account funded resulting in delays or additional expense. Now with Purchase Power(SM), postage is automatically available whenever it's needed. "There is no need to prepay for postage because it's billed through Purchase Power(SM) for qualified customers," states Pat Brand, Director, Worldwide Product Management for Pitney Bowes Mailing Systems.

In addition, the Purchase Power(SM) program offers a revolving credit line to select Personal Post Office(TM) customers, thereby giving them the option to extend repayment. "Convenience is a top priority for small businesses and Purchase Power(SM) fills a key customer need," states Stecyk.

The Personal Post Office(TM) is the first in a complete line of SoHo products and services being developed by Pitney Bowes. Educational products, software solutions and even mail design, printing and production services will all be integrated into its new family of Personal Mailing Solutions(TM).

"Smart SoHo businesses are beginning to realize that advanced mailing technology can really help customers manage their businesses: cut costs, boost productivity, effectively reach current customers, and find new ones just as it does for the largest corporations in the world," said Stecyk. "And Pitney Bowes intends to be the partner of small business in this endeavor."

Pitney Bowes Inc. is a premier provider of innovative products, services and technologies that enable more than 2 million customers worldwide to efficiently manage the exchange and distribution of messages and packages.

CONTACT: Milton Samuels Advertising Agency Inc.

Keith Klein/Dawn Maniglia, 212/532-5151