Contracts with Siemens Business Services to automate 40,000 counters in Germany

Boston, Mass. - September 20, 1998 - Deutsche Post AG has selected Escher Group's Riposte technology to automate 40,000 postal counters across the country. Siemens Business Services, who will provide the systems integration services for the project, has signed a contract with Escher Group. Work on the project will begin immediately with Deutsche Post and PostBank.

Deutsche Post's selection criteria specified requirements for a high performance user interface, high reliability, security, operating efficiency, and affordable cost of ownership, among other factors. Riposte's highly graphical touch screen user interface, secure message-oriented middleware, and standardization on low-cost PC hardware and software meets and exceeds requirements in each category.

"We are extremely excited about Deutsche Post's decision. With the increasing number of postal administrations using Riposte, the solution is becoming a compelling option for all administrations who are considering upgrading their counter solutions," said a spokesperson for Escher Group. "This increasing customer base provides a unique opportunity for post offices to share a common infrastructure which permits full electronic transactions across international boundaries."

He continued: "Riposte is much more than a counter automation system. Postal services who implement the Riposte infrastructure are well-positioned to provide new services, such as increased international transactions, mobile networked services and solutions over the Internet."

In addition to Riposte, Escher Group develops and markets The Universal Postal Client, an International, Internet-based software system for purchasing and printing electronic postage over the Internet. The Universal Postal Client is the only solution for electronic postage that offers an alternative to the expensive US-based Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) proposed by the USPS.

Since its introduction in 1994, Riposte has quickly become the market leader in post office automation. Riposte's unique message-oriented middleware architecture enables post offices in even the most remote areas to easily and safely automate mail services and other customer services, such as retail, agency, and banking transactions, with minimal training. Built on Microsoft's COM and ActiveX architecture, Riposte enables robust rapid application development and release management across a distributed network.

Escher Group's Riposte software is currently installed or licensed on over 80,000 desktops worldwide, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Slovakia, Australia, Denmark, Austria and most recently Germany.

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