E-Stamp, Microsoft to Be Postal Partners

E-Stamp and Microsoft are expected to announce an alliance today that will put the Internet postage service on the Microsoft Office Update Web site. The partnership will help San Mateo, Calif.-based E-Stamp reach its target customer base of small and home offices, the company said.

E-Stamp is one of four firms developing products to let customers download postage from the Internet and print it directly on envelopes or mailing labels. At least two companies--E-Stamp and Santa Monica-based Stamps.com--are expected to win U.S. Postal Service approval to begin offering their services before the end of summer.