Boston, Mass. - October 9, 2001 - Escher Group Limited, a leading provider of peer-to-peer messaging and data management solutions, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Escher a notice of allowance for a patent on next generation postage metering technology.

The patent covers technology and methods for representing postage value and for downloading or otherwise loading postage value into a software-only postage meter. The technology allows software-only postage meters to print postage in an offline fashion, that is, without a network connection. Previous software-only systems required a connection to a central server at the time of postage printing. Systems that could print postage without a network connection have always required secure hardware. Escher's technology gives the best of both worlds: the convenience of an all software meter, and the convenience of offline postage printing.

The technology makes use of proven cryptographic algorithms, which allow value to be printed on a stamp with a small number of bits. This property and the software only solution greatly reduce the cost of the system by not requiring special metering hardware to be purchased by the consumer and allowing hardware already owned by post offices to be used for validating the stamps.

"Escher Group patented solutions ensure that our customers have access to cutting-edge technologies," a spokesperson said. "Escher's focus is to provide our customers with the vision and the capabilities to embrace new business opportunities."

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