Bitstream Joins the Print On Demand Initiative; Will Participate in PODi'S Variable Data Printing Initiative.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1998 --

Highlights:

--PODi is a non-profit marketing and educational initiative for educating the market about the opportunities in digital printing technology and services;

--The VDPI is an industry initiative focused on understanding and quantifying the value of variable color digital printing;

--Bitstream develops and markets PageFlex(tm), a new XML-based application for the dynamic publishing of customized documents.

Bitstream (Nasdaq:BITS) announced today that it has joined the Print On Demand Initiative (PODi), an alliance of key vendors and service providers working in the digital color printing market. As a member of this initiative, Bitstream will participate in PODi's new Variable Data Printing Initiative (VDPI). The VDPI is an industry initiative focused on understanding and quantifying the value of variable color digital printing as a means of improving customer acceptance and application.

Rab Govil, President of PODi, said, "We are delighted about the addition of Bitstream to the General Membership of PODi, and also as a supporter of our Variable Data Printing Initiative. As an innovator and developer of text imaging and page technologies serving the digital print industry, Bitstream is providing solutions to the increasing demands of the entire digital print ecosystem, including equipment manufacturers, integrators, service providers and their print-originator customers." He added, "Bitstream's commitment to PODi and to software development exclusively for the digital print industry emphasizes the growing importance of digital printing in the marketplace."

The Variable Data Printing Initiative (VDPI) and PODi

The goal of the VDPI is to eliminate some of the obstacles facing variable data users, thus accelerating market acceptance. At present, the program is being supported by Adobe, EFI, NexPress, Scitex, the United States Postal Service, Xeikon, Xerox, and Varis. PODi is also inviting other companies who are active in database and relationship marketing, mail production, and digital printing to join this initiative.

PODi is a non-profit strategic marketing and educational initiative focused on educating the market about the opportunities in digital printing technology and services. PODi creates market demand by educating print creators and buyers about the substantial benefits and potentials of digital color printing.

Paul Trevithick, President of Bitstream, added, "By participating in PODi's Variable Data Printing Initiative, Bitstream will have access to the leading market research on the requirements of the variable digital printing industry. As part of this program, Bitstream also gains the ability to work with other key players in defining the architecture and standards for the technology that will drive this promising new marketplace. We believe that working with PODi's Variable Data Printing Initiative will be crucial to the success of PageFlex(tm), Bitstream's new XML-based application for the dynamic publishing of customized documents."

About PODi

The Print On Demand Initiative (PODi) is a non-profit strategic marketing and educational initiative focused on evangelizing the opportunities in digital printing technology and services. PODi promotes a greater awareness about the applications and benefits of digital color printing through the publication of articles, independent research, industry seminars and special events. Membership in PODi is open to leading vendors and service providers involved in digital printing, database marketing and mail production.

PODi's focus and activities are set by the Board of Directors, which includes Adobe, Scitex, Electronics for Imaging (EFI) and Xerox. Other leading industry supporters include AGFA, GammagraphX (GGX), GretagMacbeth, Hewlett Packard, Lanier, Minolta, NexPress, Splash, Tektronix, Xeikon, the United States Postal Service, and Varis. PODi also includes as Associate Members many leading digital print service providers, a directory of which can be found on the PODi web site. Additional information regarding PODi may be obtained by calling [phone] or on the World Wide Web at http://www.podi.org.

About Bitstream

Bitstream Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops, markets and supports software technologies and applications for the graphics communications industry. Bitstream licenses text imaging and page layout technologies such as TrueDoc(R), NuDoc(tm), and Bitstream Jet(tm), to hundreds of industry leading independent software vendors and hardware manufacturers. Bitstream is also the developer of PageFlex(tm), an XML-based application for the dynamic publishing of customized documents. Complementing these products, Bitstream markets a multi-lingual library of over 1,400 typefaces and offers customization services.

Bitstream and TrueDoc are registered trademarks of Bitstream Inc. All other trademarks mentioned are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.