Boston, Mass. - August 4, 1997 - Escher Group Ltd, the leading provider of Post Office automation technology, today announced that SingPost (Singapore) has completed the rollout of a new generation of distributed networking software throughout the country. Singapore Post, in conjunction with systems integrator ICL Singapore, selected Escher Group's Riposte system to leapfrog an entire generation of network technology.

As recently as 1994, SingPost backed up daily transaction records on floppy disks at each Post Office "System backups added 20 to 30 minutes to each teller's day," said Jasjit Singh Nehal, ICL's technical manager of the project. "The system replacement exercise placed a very high value on shortening the sign-on and end of day balancing times."

Today, SingPost's Riposte-based system eliminates backup tasks and allows the Central Office to simultaneously access transaction data. The system has also measurably improved response times through implementation of an event-driven system which uses bar code readers and other devices to rapidly input data. "When training of the end users started," said Nehal, "there was almost no resistance to change at all. In fact, the majority of tellers were asking if they could get the system even earlier than planned."

Singapore Post operates 71 Post Offices, with a total of 350 counters. The system, including the user interface, was developed much more rapidly than Singapore Post's original system. The rollout plan automated one Post Office a day from April to June. "Few projects have run so smoothly, under budget and on time," said Nehal. "In fact, we could have easily rolled out more Post Offices a day. Riposte's sophisticated message-oriented infrastructure will also allow Singapore Post to drastically increase capabilities in record time."

Riposte is a complete networking and application development system that provides an end-to-end solution for Post Office automation. Designed to use the advanced security and heterogeneous networking capabilities of Windows NT, Riposte offers both a message-based distribution infrastructure and an object-oriented application development environment. Built on Microsoft's COM and ActiveX architecture, Riposte enables robust rapid application development and release management across a distributed network.

About Escher Group, Limited

Escher Group Limited is a leading provider of distributed transaction processing and data management solutions and services. The company offers a business-to-business XML-based transaction management environment, used in thousands of locations worldwide. Since its introduction in 1993, Riposte®, Escher's flagship messaging solution, has grown to become the market leader in post office counter automation.

Trademarks: WebRiposte and Riposte are trademarks or registered trademarks of Escher Group, Limited in the United States and/or other countries. All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Information:

Escher Group Limited
information@eschergroup.com