The Royal Mail Smartstamp service allows printing of postage directly from the PC to envelopes and labels, thereby eliminating the need for franking machines and paper stamps.
The business version of the service costs £49.99 per annum with postage being charged at normal rates—this is deducted from an on-line account which can be topped-up by credit card, etc, as required.
The Smartstamp software may be installed from a CD or downloaded from the Royal Mail web site.
There is now an entirely web-based version of the service aimed at the non-business user—this has no standing charge and the only differences, as far as I can see, are a slightly messier interface and the lack of some features such as the ability to add a logo or to 'mailmerge' using a contacts database.
The Royal Mail web site has some other useful facilities including a postcode finder and delivery tracking.
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