Stamford, CT (July 3, 2001) - The Mailing Systems Division of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI), the global leader in mailing and message management, will once again offer nationwide workshops designed to help business mailers understand the implications of the latest postal rate increase. Just six months ago when postal rates increased in January of 2001, Pitney Bowes offered similar workshops to show mailers some new - and not so new - ways to minimize the impact of that USPS rate increase. These informative seminars are being held all across the country, and they provide business mailers with an accurate and up-to-the-minute overview of the July 1 USPS Rate Case. This increase will cost business mailers over $500 million this year alone, and the speculation is that rates could go up 10% or more as early as the fall of 2002. That is why it is so important for business mailers to understand their options for offsetting these increased postal expenses. There are many nuances to this July 1 postal rate increase that business mailers may not be aware of (i.e. the first ounce of First Class Mail is staying at $.34, but the price for each additional ounce is increasing 9.5% to $.23). To help combat confusion, Pitney Bowes is opening its doors to both customers and non-customers to help them navigate through the complex changes incorporated in this rate case. Any business mailer desiring to participate in one of these seminars should contact their local Pitney Bowes office for more information. "There have been two postal rate increases in 2001, and together they will cost business mailers over 2 billion dollars," says Tim Bates, Marketing Vice President for Pitney Bowes Mailing Systems. "Managing and minimizing expense increases of this magnitude are critical to every business, and Pitney Bowes has the knowledge and automation solutions to help."