CONTACT INFORMATION

Mail2000
www.mail2000.com

ConneXt
www.connext.com

SEATTLE, WA., August 24, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) - ConneXt®, a Seattle-based developer of billing and customer care solutions for regulated and unregulated energy providers, announced today that it has established a new partnership with Mail2000 to provide value-added services for utilities that purchase ConneXt's ConsumerLinX™, a state-of-the-art customer information system developed specifically for the changing energy market.

With Mail2000, which is headed by Chairman Paul Carlin, the former U.S. Postmaster General, utilities using ConsumerLinX software can increase billing efficiencies in large volume, cash-critical first-class mail. Mail2000 also includes the special feature "Click-Mail," an electronic bill payment and presentment (EBPP) solution for paying online.

Under the terms of the agreement, ConneXt will include Mail2000 services as the preferred bill designer, printer and mailer in requests for proposals for the purchase and implementation of ConsumerLinX. In turn, Mail2000 will also work to refer potential opportunities toConneXt.

"ConneXt is thrilled to incorporate Mail2000's use of the latest communications and computer technology to provide new economies toConsumerLinX customers," said John Przelenski, vice president of sales and marketing for ConneXt. "Saving almost nine cents on each piece mailed will result in significant cost-savings, and Mail2000's technology also reduces accounts receivable `float' further speeding cash flow. With this partnership, we offer a `Total Solutions Package' to utilities researching the best in CIS."

With the move toindustry merger mania hitting electronic billing, smaller companies have realized the value of teamwork in survival and growth in the utilities industry. According toCarlin, "This is a golden opportunity for us toteam with such a well-crafted customer information system. We will enhance our visibility as we fulfill the utility's needs to be even more cost-conscious and efficient at processing and mailing millions of bills," he explains. By eliminating 17 of the 21 traditional postal processing steps with the Mail2000 system, speed of service is greatly improved. Overnight delivery of 20 percent of bills is provided, and 90 percent within two days.

About ConneXt:
ConneXt is a provider of sophisticated, packaged CIS software targeted to utilities. Comprehensive, flexible and scalable, ConneXt billing and customer care solutions allow utilities tothrive in a deregulating energy market. ConneXt brings together seasoned industry professionals, accomplished software engineers and leading independent systems integrators to Deliver effective CIS solutions for utilities. Steady growth enables ConneXt toreadily meet the changing needs of utilities in the new energy marketplace.

ConneXt is located at 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900, Seattle, Washington, 98101. For additional information, phone 800/706-1976, fax 206/521-2400 or visit our Web site at www.connext.com.

About Mail2000:
Mail2000, a privately held corporation based in Bethesda, MD, uses the newest communications and computer technology todistribute a customer's data stream to its nationwide network of regional mail production facilities where the data is converted intohard copy mail and brought to the Postal Service for local delivery. The strategic location of its production facilities provides for next day or two-day delivery to90% of the population nationwide.

Mail2000 is headquartered at 5420 Butler Road, Bethesda, MD 20816-1500. For additional information, phone 301/664-7900, fax 301/654-0332 or visit our Web site at www.mail2000.com.

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