TRUMBULL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2001--

Company Enters Exclusive Distribution Agreement for

Cypress(R) Knowledge Delivery Architecture(TM) Version 3.2

Pitney Bowes Office Systems announced today that it has entered an exclusive distribution agreement for Cypress Knowledge Delivery Architecture v3.2, a unique document archival and retrieval software solution.

Cypress enables enterprises of all sizes to manage the flow, access and storage of critical business data contained within documents, images and reports.

Device - and application-independent, Cypress provides authorized users with a single search engine, giving them immediate and secure access to virtually any company document and report. If data can be printed, Cypress can access it. The latest version (Cypress 3.2) expands the type of information assets that customers can manage to include audio, video, web-based and graphic images in addition to text files and documents.

"Many organizations have dedicated computer systems performing distinct functions across the enterprise," comments Nathaniel Gifford, vice president product development and strategic marketing, Pitney Bowes Office Systems. "For instance, different ERP modules may be used to manage manufacturing, logistics or financial operations, while spreadsheets are created in Microsoft Excel, marketing presentations in PowerPoint and sales correspondence in Word or WordPerfect. Add a legacy mainframe system used by MIS or a service department, and the result is a complex data environment in which documents are difficult to identify, retrieve and manage. Cypress overcomes the problems of sharing information across an enterprise without necessitating sweeping change in the underlying systems."

Through Cypress, all documents created by an authorized user are automatically captured, indexed and stored. It doesn't matter what platform or application the user is working in, and no changes need to be made to the document creation process. Cypress software translates documents into a common format and archives them in a virtual repository called the DocuVault(R).

Once cataloged, entire documents or individual pages can be searched out, retrieved, assembled with other material into a new document and printed or e-mailed to any enterprise destination with 100% fidelity. This broad access to company information assets is proving to be a major lever to improve profitability, enhance employee productivity and increase operational efficiency. "Though it has a host of powerful uses, one high profile process that can reap immediate benefits from this product is the area of customer relationship management," says Gifford. "Reconciling data discrepancies and tying customer-facing and back-office communications together, Cypress enables firms with 'disconnected' systems to develop the kind of holistic account activity view that customers expect today." Cypress also allows companies to make stored documents accessible to employees and customers via the web. Document content is made broadly available without the need to convert information to web formats. There's no need to go to the expense of maintaining a dedicated web server.

Cypress Knowledge Delivery System Version 3.2 is a modular solution that may be installed on any Windows(R) NT or 2000 server meeting minimum published system requirements. The system's design allows customers to add a utility to manage output devices, and subsequently install options such as modules for managing report distribution, document enhancement and web-enabled retrieval.

Cypress Version 3.2 also offers other options and advanced features to streamline document archival and retrieval tasks:

• Advanced Authoring Functionality (A2F) automatically launches the appropriate software program in which the document was created simply by selecting the file. A2F increases productivity by locating and retrieving files and applications instantly, without the user having to know the location of the server, drive, directory or folder.

• External Application Processing Facility (EAPF) allows Cypress to serve as the operational hub for all printing and document processing activities. Even customers using third party document processing applications can submit jobs directly to the DocuVault for indexing and archiving without further user intervention.

• FAX Out, fully integrated with the Cypress Address Book, allows documents to be faxed directly from the DocuVault simply by entering the recipient's name or fax number. Faxing documents in their digitally archived state preserves image quality, saves paper and speeds delivery.

• E-mail notification informs users of important document processing events such as report distribution and printing at their desktop in real time. Users simply click on the e-mail for instant document viewing.

• Cypress' open architecture has also been enhanced to export any document to non-Cypress clients in HTML or XML format. This extends users' ability to share documents outside the enterprise via the web.

• Cypress.Web(R) now supports Netscape Navigator as well as Microsoft Internet Explorer, giving users of the two most popular web browsers extensive document viewing and delivery capability without any additional setup or administration.

"Document-related management costs can account for up to fifteen percent of overall corporate revenue. Pitney Bowes is in the unique position of being able to help our customers reduce those expenses," states Gifford. "Cypress enables our customers to execute streamlined document archival and information retrieval tasks. It enhances workflow, improves overall productivity and facilitates knowledge sharing critical to success in today's fast-paced business environment."

About Pitney Bowes Office Systems

Pitney Bowes Office Systems representatives are application experts who work seamlessly with corporate managers, IT staff, and end users to identify and create new solutions for customers' mission-critical business processes. To do this Pitney Bowes Office Systems selects only those products that are "best of breed" and delivers the greatest value and performance for the end user.

Cypress Knowledge Delivery Architecture Version 3.2 is available directly from Pitney Bowes Office Systems' national network of sales offices by calling (800) 290-7860. More information is available at www.pitneybowes.com.

Pitney Bowes Office Systems offers high performance, leading-edge analog and digital copier/printer and facsimile systems for the corporate market through a coast-to-coast direct sales/service organization. All products are supported by the company's Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. Pitney Bowes Office Systems is the recipient of the "Digital Imaging System of the Year" from Buyers Laboratory Inc., and has received the 2000 "Editors Choice Award" from Better Buys for Business.

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