Library Technology Guides

A number of small businesses and organizations are testing a new generation of electronic postage that will allow users with a PC to bypass purchasing stamps at a post office. The USFS is overseeing the tests of computer-generated postage stamps developed by three California companies: E-stamp, StampMaster, and Neopost. The USFS decided to undertake the program after determining that .88 percent of businesses and organizations do not have a postage meter. The primary benefits of computer-printed postage are convenience and enhanced security-something that is achieved with special security software which encrypts both the downloading of the electronic postage and its storage. The service is expected to become available in early 1999.