License extension with Saudi Post

25 September 2013

Escher Group Holdings plc

License extension with Saudi Post

Escher Group Holdings plc, (AIM: ESCH, "Escher" or "the Group"), a world-leading provider of outsourced, point of sale software to the postal industry, has entered into a contract to extend its license agreement with Saudi Post for the use of its Riposte® software. With this contract Saudi Post will extend its software licenses from 150 to 800 operational workstations.  

This licence extension follows the successful completion of an initial implementation phase in July 2013, which was mainly focused on mail services. Escher, with its partner ABANA Enterprises Group ('ABANA'), will now deliver front office services for the remaining Saudi postal branches throughout the Kingdom.

Escher will also deliver additional services to existing automated counters, and will complete the automation of the remaining outlets in Saudi Post's national network. 

Escher and ABANA are developing a roadmap of services for the future including the implementation of MobileRiposte which makes services available in non-permanent locations. This will help support Saudi Post's ambitious plans to introduce financial, loyalty and other services across its national network.

Liam Church, CEO of Escher Group said:

"This contract extension is a testament of Saudi Post's confidence in our Riposte® software and its effectiveness in the initial phase. Our solutions will help strengthen Saudi Post's business operating model and support its aim to provide more value-added services to its customers."

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About Escher Group

Escher is a world leading developer and provider of outsourced, point-of-service software for use in the worldwide postal industry. Its core software, RiposteEssential™, enables post offices to expand upon their traditional offering, providing additional new services, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Riposte® is a messaging middleware that enables applications operating on different computers to communicate with each other. The Riposte® software manages data, monitors the system status and communicates across the network. Escher Group operates across two divisions - a Retail Software Division and a Message Based Communications Division.

The Retail Software Solution (RiposteEssential™) serves the postal and courier markets. Transactions include mail and financial services and the system is integrated with utilities and financial services companies, banks and central and local governments.

Escher's Message Based Communications Division (RiposteTrEx™) is based on a digital post office box model and is designed to provide a national digital infrastructure linking governments, businesses and citizens via a secure platform.