STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2000--

Adoption of PC-Based Desktop Messaging Tools Accelerating Among

Workers on Both Sides of the Atlantic

Both Internet and intranet use are growing dramatically among North American and European workers, according to research released today by Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) and the Institute for the Future. The number of e-mail messages sent and received increased by an average of 10 percent in the five countries surveyed, indicating the accelerating adoption of desktop and laptop personal computers as core work tools. In addition, the number of respondents who reported regular use of the Internet and intranets increased by an average of 18 percent and 12 percent respectively, with an especially quick adoption rate in the United States, where three-quarters of office workers surveyed reported using these tools regularly.

These findings are a result of Pitney Bowes fourth annual study on messaging practices in the 21st century workplace, entitled "Messaging for Innovation: Building the Innovation Infrastructure Through Messaging Practices." The study analyzed the adoption and usage rates of messaging tools among knowledge workers in North America (Canada and United States) and Europe (France, Germany and United Kingdom).

"Our research has found that workers find substantial value in text-based messaging and knowledge management tools," said Meredith Fischer, co-author of the study and vice president, Pitney Bowes Inc. "In each of the countries surveyed, Internet use increased between 13 percent and 25 percent since last year. As a result of more frequent worker use of these technologies, companies in Europe and North America have the opportunity to deliver greater amounts of value to employees via internal networks, and to customers via the Internet."

Key findings of the Pitney Bowes study include: -0-

*T

-- North American workers are more intensive Internet users than their European counterparts.

- 84 percent of American workers and 74 percent of Canadian

workers report using the Internet every day or several times a

week. In Europe, 61 percent of workers in both Germany and the

United Kingdom report using the Internet every day or several

times a week, compared to 55 percent in France. "As low cost/no

cost Internet access becomes more prevalent in Europe, we expect

to see continued growth of Internet use in these markets," noted

Fischer.

- 75 percent of American workers and 63 percent of Canadian

workers report using the intranet every day or several times a

week. In Europe, 66 percent of workers in Germany, 61 percent of

workers in France and 59 percent of workers in the United Kingdom

report using the intranet daily.

-- U.S. workers rely on more communications tools to organize their work and enhance their thinking, using an average of seven communications tools on a daily basis, compared to six for Canadian and United Kingdom workers, and five for German and French workers.

- For the first time in the United States and Canada, e-mail

emerged as the most used tool in the communications tool kit, with

97 percent of North American workers reporting that they use

e-mail every day or several times a week.

- In the United Kingdom, e-mail and the desktop PC tied for the

top spot as the most frequently used communications tool, with 96

percent of workers reporting every day or several times a week

usage for both tools.

- The desktop PC is also the most frequently used communications

tool in France, with 96 percent of workers reporting usage

everyday or several times a week, while in Germany, the fax

machine emerged as the most frequently used communications tool,

with 93 percent of workers faxing daily. *T

About the Study

"Messaging for Innovation: Building the Innovation Infrastructure Through Messaging Practices" builds on four years of trend data compiled and examined by Pitney Bowes. This is the first and only study of its kind to examine the complete desktop messaging environment of knowledge workers -- how they use messaging tools to impact their productivity and organizational value. The fourth in a series of studies on Managing Communication in the 21st Century Workplace, the 2000 study was commissioned in partnership with The Institute for the Future -- an independent, nonprofit research firm --and drew on ethnographic interviews or observational interviews, as well as extensive telephone surveys. The research was conducted between January and March 2000 and consisted of interviews with workers at all organizational levels in small, medium, large and Fortune 1000 companies in Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and United States.

For more than 30 years, the Institute for the Future, based in Silicon Valley, California, has forecasted critical technological, demographic and business trends to help clients plan successfully for their future, including government groups, nonprofit organizations and major corporations throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Pitney Bowes Inc. is a $4.4 billion global provider of informed mail and messaging management. It serves 118 countries through dealer and direct operations. For more information about the company, visit www.pitneybowes.com.

CONTACT: Cunningham Communication, Inc.

             Karen Fadden
             (617) 494-8202
             kfadden@cunningham.com
                or
             Pitney Bowes
             Sheryl Battles, Executive Director, External Affairs
             (203) 351-6808
             battlesh@pb.com