DANBURY, Conn., October 29, 2001 – Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) today launches the APS-18, new intelligent inserting system that maximizes productivity for high volume mailers. A prototype of the new inserting system will be showcased at the Electronic Document Systems Conference sponsored by XPLOR International, which is scheduled for October 28 to November 2 in Orlando, FL. "The APS-18 Series operates at 18,000 cycles per hour and contains numerous technological innovations to assure maximum productivity while reducing operator involvement," stated Brian Baxendale, president, Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies. "The result is an unmatched level of productivity and integrity for high volume mailers and further evidence of our unrelenting commitment to help our customers implement world-class, end-to-end document messaging solutions." Key innovations of the 18 Series include: - A compact footprint and simplified material handling requirements such as high-capacity enclosure feeders and other ergonomic features designed to reduce operator work effort. - Streamlined application set-up and changeover procedures that help boost system productivity. - A new software capability that enables operators to maximize system productivity. - State-of-the-art continuous motion control technology for optimum and precision positioning and tracking of materials. - An improved and simplified paper-handling architecture featuring face-down inserting and a vacuum-assisted envelope feeder for smooth, high-speed processing. - A modular and flexible system architecture that is fully compatible with the Pitney Bowes family of high speed inputs and can be configured or reconfigured quickly and easily to meet a wide range of application requirements. The APS-18 Series also features the Pitney Bowes Direct Connect file-based processing control system for assured mail piece integrity and is designed to handle applications in either tri-fold and #10 envelopes or half-fold and 6"x9" envelopes.