Sun and EPS Work with US Postal Service to Deliver Smart Internet Applications with Java; Mission-Critical Solution Saves Time and Money for Millions of Postal Customers

Business Wire, Dec 20, 1996

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 1996--Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) and Enterprise Productivity Systems, Inc. (EPS), a leading provider of software based on Sun's Java(TM) technology, today announced Internet access is now available for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Java-based electronic forms application -- called WebForms -- to support bulk mail services.

The decision of the USPS to use Java is powerful evidence of its acceptance in mainstream businesses for mission-critical solutions.

The USPS Internet application will allow mailers to retrieve an automated postage statement via their desktop computer. Vice President of Marketing Systems John Ward said, "The goal is to build seamless, user-friendly electronic interfaces with our customers that give them easy access to our products and services. Our agenda is very aggressive in this area -- to give our customers a state-of- the-art electronic `plug' into the Postal Service for doing business."

The first of 13 postage statements (form, 3602 R Postage statement permit imprint October 1996) is now available on the Internet (http://www.usps.gov). Subsequent forms will go on the Internet as they become available over the next six months. With Java, mailers will only have to download the form once, unless the form is changed, for regular use from their desktop. This is one of several USPS electronic initiatives aimed at providing service on the Internet.

The Java-based postage statement software provides functionality that goes beyond the easy-to-follow fill-in format. Additional features include simple arithmetic functions, data carry-forward from page-to-page and automatic advancement to specific areas of the form based on mailpiece weight and/or rate category.

Working together under partnering agreements, Sun and EPS are developing advanced Electronic Commerce Solutions -- like WebForms -- all based on sophisticated Internet/Intranet technologies like the Java programming environment. WebForms lets customers easily and quickly generate and submit bulk mail acceptance forms via software they download from the Internet.

"WebForms is a great example of how Java can be utilized to make government processes easier, more accessible and more efficient," said John Marselle, President of Sun Microsystems Federal, Inc. "This should save companies significant time and money by providing a more streamlined way to comply with federal postal regulations on business mailings."

WebForms provides the USPS and its customers with several important benefits that ultimately make it easier and more efficient to do business over the Internet: -0-

-- Time and Money Savings - Customers benefit from faster access to the latest postage statement forms, built-in intelligent functions for creating error-free forms, and speedy electronic submission.

-- Universal Access - Customers can download WebForms software to any platform including PC, Macintosh, UNIX and JavaStation(TM) computers.

-- Higher Productivity - The USPS benefits from a streamlined business process that lays the groundwork for end-to-end electronic automation, better forecasting of mail demand and more proactive management of human and material resources.

-- Fast time-to-market - Sun's Java allows for fast development of Internet applications, enabling the USPS to deliver new software products like WebForms to customers quickly. -0-

"EPS, Inc. uses Java to create elegant, sophisticated applications that appeal both to end users who desire simplicity and ease of use as well as businesses that require performance and security," said Paul Jaquish, President, Government Systems Division, EPS, Inc. "Our groundbreaking work with the USPS and Sun is strong evidence that Java can provide dynamic solutions for virtually any kind of business challenge."

Revolutionizing the USPS Bulk Mail Acceptance Form Process

The Internet WebForms provide all the administrative and financial information needed by the USPS to process bulk mail acceptance forms. WebForms is an "intelligent application" that actually helps customers fill in complex forms without repeating common account information, without making calculations, and without checking for incorrect or missing information. Electronic submission of WebForms to the USPS by customers using the Internet will eventually enable postal clerks to schedule the acceptance of mail and debit advanced deposit accounts automatically and electronically.

EPS, Inc. delivers a complete line of software and server products that help Fortune 1000 companies organize their businesses around the Internet and intranet. EPS software products are developed entirely using the Java language for the highest levels of cross-platform compatibility, networking performance, and dynamic interactivity. EPS provides diverse Java solutions that range from Java desktop product development and Internet electronic forms design to complete Intranet system solutions.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer(TM)," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc., (NASDAQ: SUNW),to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the WorldWide Web at http://www.sun.com . -0-