(Durham, N.C., Aug. 22, 2005…) BÖWE BELL + HOWELL, the world's leading provider of document processing and postal solutions, announces the introduction of their innovative solution for high-speed processing that will revolutionize the mail processing industry. Called Print Stream Optimization (PSO), the solution combines software and production equipment to intelligently manage and manipulate a print stream in order to optimize equipment utilization while achieving maximum postal discounts. Print Stream Optimization is a patent-pending solution that uses advanced software algorithms to change the order of documents in print streams before they are printed, and dramatically improves the throughput of downstream production finishing equipment. This solution will have resounding implications in high-volume mailing operations such as banks, insurance companies, credit card issuers, brokerage firms, telecommunications companies and other utilities. Initial applications of Print Stream Optimization have produced increases in throughput around 50 percent on average. Under the right conditions, PSO has the potential to more than double productivity, depending on the characteristics of a mailing. With sets having high page counts, the combination of multiple input channels with PSO can further "optimize" utilization for even greater productivity. The result is dramatic improvements in production throughput per hour with virtually no downside. According to Roger Spitzig, BÖWE BELL + HOWELL vice president and general manager of Software Business Solutions, "Print Stream Optimization is the biggest breakthrough in productivity that the industry has experienced in years. Companies are able to not only complete existing work in less time, but use available resources to take on additional jobs and generate new revenue streams." The initial client that implemented PSO was so pleased with the results, they recognized BÖWE BELL + HOWELL with an award as one of their "suppliers of the year" in the category of Creative Cost Management Solutions, a distinction highlighted by a congratulatory advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. The client has since commissioned additional PSO systems for their other mail operations. "It's really about doing more with less," said Sarah Elliott, BÖWE BELL + HOWELL's software business manager. "Our team's drive to increasecustomer throughput has provided tremendous value to an operation's bottom line." BÖWE BELL + HOWELL will be demonstrating Print Stream Optimization at the PRINT 05 exhibition Sept. 9 through Sept. 15 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Visit BÖWE BELL + HOWELL at Booth #2073 in the convention hall to see firsthand this innovative solution. For more information on Print Stream Optimization, contact Sarah Elliott by phone at 410-949-2630 or e-mail at [email protected]. Or visit www.bowebellhowell on the Web.