Neopost Online TM and Northrop Grumman TM jointly developed an innovative self-service stamp vending system.  Neopost Online TM is a US subsidiary of Neopost Inc.TM . Testing of this system was authorized by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in March 2001. This self-service stamp vending system allows the consumer to peruse through a variety of denominations and quantities, select the desired purchase and swipe his/her credit card to submit a purchase order. The stamp vending system then authorizes the purchase order, prints the stamp sheet(s) and finally dispenses them to the consumer. The ability to peruse/request/authorize/print/dispense a stamp purchase  using the Internet makes these the world's first browser-based stamps. The product from this self-service stamp vending system is aptly named by collectors as "NeopostTM webenabled stamps".

The Neopost Online TM /Northrop Grumman TM self-service stamp vending system is implemented around a client/server model. The kiosk (client) accepts the consumer stamp purchase order (stamp denomination, quantity, purchase location,  purchaser information, etc). The centralized database (server) authorizes the purchase order (verifies credit card purchase, obtain purchase funds, etc) and disseminates purchase information (purchase order number, partial credit card numbers, etc)  back to the kiosk. The kiosk prints the purchase information on the stamp sheet and dispenses the sheet(s) to the consumer. The kiosk and centralized database purchase sequence utilizes Internet communications to initiate and complete the transaction.

The following text is from a USPS report:

"The Information Based Indicia (IBI) is part of the Postal Technology Management (PTM) security architecture and the objective to secure postage against counterfeit attack. The goal is to incorporate technology into the postage mark that makes it harder to counterfeit, that makes counterfeiting easier to detect, and that offers value beyond postage.

Unlike traditional postage meter indicia, each IBI is unique. IBI incorporates digital printing of indicia that includes human readable and machine readable (barcode) data containing, among other information, certain "security critical" data elements. The IBI also incorporates cryptographic services which digitally "sign" each indicium making it possible to verify its authenticity."

The IBI is an encrypted 2-dimensional (2D) bar code that provide a wealth of information about the point of origin and the sender.  The IBI is similar to the caller ID program for the telephone. Each stamp is unique, creating an intelligent mail piece that is easier to track and trace questionable/suspicious mail back to the sender.    The Neopost TM Stamp Vending System prints multiple IBIs on the stamp sheet after the purchase has been authorized The IBI used by the Neopost TM  Vending systems is in the ECC200 format. 

The adhesived-backed paper is printed with the IBI and other purchase information also provides a deterence to counterfeiting. The paper employs microprinting and a fluorescening Neopost TM logo. The design on the adhesive-backed paper can be updated or changed as needed. 

Browser-based Stamps Vs PC Postage TM Stamps

The USPS has been testing a pilot program to provide a self-service system that provides commonly requested postal transactions. This system is called the Automated Postal Center (APC). The APC is produced by a IBM TM  with a patnership with Neopost TM (licensed IBI technology to IBM TM). The  IBM/Neopost kiosk enables consumers to weigh, rate, print postage (using the information-based indicia technology), and mail packages. It also offers the ability to purchase sheetlets of stamps and to obtain general mailing information. Recent terrorist incidents in the United States have raised concerns about the safety and security of the APC (could be used to send packages and letters with questionable contents).