Boston, Mass. - October 29, 1997 - Escher Group Ltd, developer of Riposte, the world's leading postal automation technology, announced today that Post Denmark has contracted with Escher Group to automate 1000 postal counters across Denmark, using the Riposte technology. In the same contract, Post Denmark licensed the Universal Postal Client for future delivery of electronic postage via the Internet.
"After a thorough evaluation of the competition and a pilot test with the Riposte system, Riposte stands out as the best solution to meet Post Denmark's requirements for quality, cost, and rapid implementation," commented Niels Siggaard, IT Manager, Post Denmark. "Riposte specifically addresses postal counter automation needs." Riposte was selected over other vendors' proposals that were based on generic transaction processing systems, requiring significantly more custom application development.
Post Denmark's selection criteria specified requirements for a high performance user interface, high reliability, security, and 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.
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.
The Universal Postal Client is a Microsoft Windows-based software solution that lets customers purchase postage online, download it over the Internet, and print valid postal indicia using any Windows-compatible PC and printer. In addition, the Universal Postal Client makes it easy for customers to purchase value added services such as insurance, registered letters and COD. Escher Group's software algorithms for the Universal Postal Client are patent pending.
Post Denmark joins a rapidly growing number of international post offices that have selected Riposte as their postal infrastructure and automation system. "Riposte is much more than a counter automation system," said Chief Technology Officer Andrew Sutherland. "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." Currently Riposte is licensed to the post offices of Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and Australia -- over 65,000 licenses worldwide.
A spokesperson for Escher Group said of the deal: "the successful completion of this pilot program has given Post Denmark an understanding of Riposte's unique strengths, as well as its suitability to Post Denmark's task ahead. We are extremely pleased to be working with Post Denmark."
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