Sun and EPS Work with U.S. Postal Service to Deliver Smart Internet Application with Java Platform; Mission-Critical Solution Saves Time and Money for Millions of Postal Customers

Business Wire, Oct 16, 1996

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1996--Sun Microsystems, Inc., (NASDAQ:SUNW) and Enterprise Productivity Systems, Inc. (EPS), a leading provider of software based on Sun's Java Platform, today announced that they are working with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deploy a new Java-based electronic forms application -- called Web Forms -- to support bulk mail services generating billions of dollars a year in revenue.

As America's fourth largest company, the decision of the USPS to use a Java-based application is powerful evidence of its acceptance in mainstream businesses for mission-critical solutions.

As part of Sun's Internet Associate program -- EPS -- a charter member -- is teaming with Sun to facilitate development of Electronic Commerce tools like Web Forms. Based on Sun's Java Platform, Web Forms lets customers easily and quickly generate and submit bulk mail acceptance forms via software they download from the Internet.

"The adoption of Sun's Java Platform by the USPS validates the irreversible trend that's taking place in mainstream business," said Ren Moore, market development manager, Electronic Commerce, Sun Microsystems Computer Company. "Companies of all sizes are realizing that the Java Platform is the safe choice for mission-critical applications and provides significant benefits in terms of cross-platform compatibility, scalability, and performance."

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

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 Web Forms software from all available platforms.

Higher productivity -- The USPS benefits from a streamlined business process with end-to-end electronic automation, which allows better forecasting of mail demand and more proactive management of human and material resources.

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

"The United States Postal Service is embracing advanced technologies and aligning itself with industry leaders as it presses forward in bringing new services to its customers and improved efficiency to its operations," said Robert Reisner, Vice President, Strategic Planning, United States Postal Service.

"By working closely with companies like Sun and EPS, we are taking advantage of leading Internet technology like Sun's Java Platform, to develop state-of-the art business solutions for all our customers."

"EPS, Inc. uses the Java Platform 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 the Java Platform can provide dynamic solutions for virtually any kind of business challenge."

Revolutionizing the USPS Bulk Mail Acceptance Form Process

For decades, using bulk mail services required that customers manually fill out and submit complex mail acceptance forms in hard copy. Even early Web-based electronic forms had to be printed, delivered to the USPS as hard copy, and manually entered into a database by a postal clerk. If any errors were found in the form, the customer had to start the whole process over again.

Today, Web Forms provides all the administrative and financial information needed by the USPS to process bulk mail acceptance forms electronically. Web Forms is an "intelligent application" that actually helps customers fill in complex forms without repeating common account information, without making calculations, and without the customer having to check for incorrect or missing information.

Electronic submission of Web Forms to the USPS by customers using the Internet enables postal clerks to schedule the acceptance of mail and debit advanced deposit accounts automatically and electronically.

The Postal Service will beta test the first Java-based postage statement application with select business customers in early November, with general availability on the Internet scheduled late in 1996. All 13 versions of the service's current postage statements will be available on the Internet by mid 1997.

About Enterprise Productivity Systems, Inc.

Enterprise Productivity Systems, Inc. (EPS) 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 platform 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 for Fortune 1000 companies.