Captaris Adds Permission Email to MediaLinq Suite of Outsource E-document Delivery Services.

Business Editors and Technology Writers

KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2001

Easy, Web-based "Opt-in Email" Capabilities Enable Companies

To Build Stronger Customer Relationships

Captaris, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAPA) today announced the addition of permission email to its suite of MediaLinq outsource email and IP fax services for high-volume, business-critical communications.

Permission email enables companies to strengthen relationships with customers and prospects through more personalized, targeted and responsible marketing methods.

"Permission email is a natural extension of our core email and fax broadcast services," said David Sohm, president of Captaris MediaLinq Services. "This new offering leverages the MediaLinq IP network infrastructure and core competencies developed from over a decade of experience as a leading outsource provider of e-document delivery services."

Permission email -- or opt-in email -- allows recipients to confirm interest in receiving email messages from a sender. According to industry analyst IMT Strategies, "By 2002, most companies will compete on the basis of direct customer relationships and personalized marketing approaches. Therefore, no business can afford to ignore the tremendous sales and marketing potential of permission email."

As an outsource provider, MediaLinq supplies companies an immediate, scalable permission email solution that allows organizations to focus operations on their core business objectives. By outsourcing, companies avoid challenges associated with on-site high-volume email broadcasts, including bandwidth limitations, high cost of equipment, a drain on in-house support resources and handling of emails returned due to problems, such as incorrect addresses and full mailboxes.

In addition, MediaLinq permission email allows companies to communicate responsibly with the consent of recipients, avoiding the perception of sending unsolicited commercial email (UCE), or spamming, which can result in attacks from anti-spam advocates and blocked access by administrators.

Analyst firm eMarketer estimates email marketing spending will grow to $4.5 billion by year-end 2003 and U.S. permission email-related volume will grow from 64 billion messages in 2000 to 227 billion messages in 2003. This growth is fueled by the proven benefits of permission email over more traditional marketing tactics, such as:

-- Higher success rates -- According to a recent study by the META Group, email
response rates can reach upwards of 15 percent compared to 1 to 3 percent for
direct mail.

-- Lower costs -- eMarketer's comparison of the average cost per message is
$.20 for opt-in email vs $.75 to $2 for direct mail and $1 to $3 for
telemarketing.

-- Shorter cycle time -- Jupiter Research states 80 percent of email marketing
messages receive response within 48 hours compared to 6 to 8 weeks for direct
mail.

Customers access MediaLinq permission email via WebLinq v5.0, MediaLinq's Web-based interface. This service allows recipients of email documents to opt-in or opt-out of receiving email marketing messages. Using the "double opt-in" feature, recipients permit communication by signing up and then re-confirming intent to continue receiving information. Recipients may unsubscribe or opt-out at any time.

Additionally, customers may personalize emails in both text or HTML formats using the merge option. MediaLinq addresses the pain point of "bounced" or returned emails by providing bounce-back qualification and management capabilities for updating lists and databases. The service also supports click-through tracking, which measures the effectiveness of an offer by tracking the number of times a recipient clicks on URLs contained in an email.

On-line reports are generated based on opt-in and opt-out requests, bounce-backs and click-throughs. MediaLinq provides the same WebLinq interface for email and fax broadcasts to give users the option of sending email only, fax only or a mixed email and fax broadcast.

Sohm stated, "MediaLinq permission email, combined with our simple but powerful WebLinq interface and online tracking of broadcast results, enables companies to quickly and easily implement this business-critical solution within their organization to effectively personalize and control communications and to strengthen relationships with their customers and prospects."

Pricing and Availability

Availability for permission email and WebLinq v5.0 will begin June 28, 2001. Permission email pricing varies according to broadcast volume and other features such as personalization and mixed broadcasts. There is no extra charge for WebLinq access. Companies may contact MediaLinq by calling Captaris at 800/800-5450 or emailing [e-mail].

About Captaris

Captaris is a leading provider of unified communications and mobile business solutions that allow companies to improve business communications with customers, partners and employees. The company provides access to and control of critical business information from almost any communications device and enhances communications workflow by improving the way in which company stakeholders exchange information.

Captaris specializes in developing and marketing CallXpress unified messaging, RightFax fax and communications servers, MediaLinq electronic document delivery services and Infinite Mobile Delivery products. The company has more than 75,000 systems installed and over one million users worldwide, with 80 percent of Fortune 100 companies using the company's award winning products and services. Founded in 1982, Captaris is publicly traded under the symbol "CAPA" on the Nasdaq National Market. Captaris maintains a site on the World Wide Web at www.captaris.com.