USPS Contract Postal Units Now Running Escher Group's Point-of-Sale Software

Business Wire, March 18, 2008

-- Escher's RiposteEssential[TM] software and data center managed services support historic rollout --

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Escher Group, Ltd., the leading provider of counter automation and business applications to the postal industry, today announced that 1,027 Contract Postal Units running RiposteEssential[TM] are now "live" in the United States.

The USPS Contract Postal Units (CPU) offer additional access to postal services in areas that may not have a physical post office branch. The CPUs currently offer mailing services and stamp sales at more than 900 sites throughout the United States.

Escher Group's software and managed services were selected in January 2007 to automate the USPS CPUs as part of a consortium led by Innovations Group, Inc (IGI) of Fairfax, VA. Other partners in the consortium include Hewlett-Packard (hardware), Pitney-Bowes (postage meter and implementation services), and CODEplus (quality assurance).

The new system, known as CARS (Contract Access Retail System), went to pilot in October 2007 and national rollout began on January 8, 2008. More than 900 stores were converted within 15 days. Typically, a CPU was converted to the new system, employees were trained and the store was open for business and serving customers that same day - a testament to RiposteEssential's ease of use and reliability.

"Working with Innovations Group, the other partners, and in partnership with the USPS, has been a rewarding experience. This team has completed a truly historic rollout and we are proud to have been a part of the success." said Liam Church, president of Escher Group, Ltd.

In addition to the RiposteEssential retail application, and a full stock management suite, Escher Group is providing managed services - operating a data center and communications network for the complete CPU retail network.

Omar Dajani, president of Innovations Group, Inc., commented that "Escher Group's software and services were key to this project's success, along with the company's dedicated team of professionals who were with us every step of the way."

The USPS joins Escher's customer base of 28 postal authorities, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and many others that have implemented the Riposte[R] family of products to support a full range of services from postal transactions to retail sales, bill payments, banking and government services.

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[R], Escher's flagship messaging solution, has grown to become the market leader in post office counter automation.

Trademarks: RiposteEssential and Riposte are trademarks or registered trademarks of Escher Group, Limited in the United States and/or other countries. All product names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.