Strategic alliance will help posts access technologically advanced systems and automation services

Boston, Mass., USA and Berne, Switzerland - October 3, 2000 - Escher Group Limited, a leading provider of postal technology and e-commerce solutions, and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized institution of the United Nations, today announced a strategic alliance focused on joint marketing and development of the two organizations' products and services. The announcement was officially made at POST-EXPO, the world's largest international convention for postal technology and innovation, being held this year at the Palexpo Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

Escher and the UPU will collaborate to create common interfaces between the Escher product sets and the products and services developed and supported by the UPU's Postal Technology Centre. Specifically Escher will interface Riposte®, its flagship XML-messaging solution, and RiposteDispatch™, its innovative Internet postage and shipping solution, with the UPU's International Postal System (mail management, logistics and tracking) and International Financial System (financial services, money orders and payments).

Riposte's unique messaging architecture enables postal networks of all sizes and in the most remote geographies to easily and securely automate mail services and other customer services such as retail, agency and banking transactions. Riposte is a proven leader in postal automation with a customer base of thirteen countries across four continents. The UPU promotes technological development and business re-positioning amongst its members and, through its Postal Technology Centre, is dedicated to promoting its own as well as partners' product offerings that offer value and add to capabilities in the postal marketplace. Together the partnership will achieve similar goals for both organizations, including the development and implementation of a coherent and complementary technological postal offering worldwide, particularly for posts of developing countries.

"By partnering with leading vendors such as Escher Group, we are able to help our members strengthen their position within the global postal market," said Samuel M. Jabbour, director of the UPU's Postal Technology Centre. "Post offices who are embarking on a project to automate business processes particularly in developing countries will benefit from leading edge yet cost-effective solutions which have been proven and tested worldwide. Furthermore, we want post offices that have invested in our respective products and services to reap the benefits of a strong and seamless integration that will help them focus on developing their businesses rather than on integrating technologies. We also want post offices who are planning to invest in such products and services to be assured that their investment is sound and well-protected and that it will provide them a solid foundation for growth."

"The UPU is a well-respected and influential voice in the postal community and their endorsement is an honor," a spokesperson for Escher Group said. "It is our mission as well as the UPU's to cultivate and preserve the interests of the postal market as a whole. This agreement exemplifies our commitment to the global postal industry."

The UPU/PTC supports 80 post offices worldwide and provides them with a common suite of products and services supporting mail and logistics, financial and e-commerce services. The UPU/PTC will largely provide support, expertise and access to both new markets and new customers. Escher employs a team of former senior postal executives and expert technologists who understand the business model and have a vision of how the market should evolve. The partnership will involve joint marketing and promotional activities. Both Escher and the UPU will continue to extend their efforts to include other postal solutions that will revolutionize the way post offices around the world do business.

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