NTT DATA Corporation (head office: Koto-ku ,Tokyo; President and CEO: Toshiharu Aoki), with the cooperation of the Yokohama BayStars Baseball Club, Inc. (head office: Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Takashi Ohori), is set to run a wireless instant messaging trial service on Saturday, October 12, at Yokohama Stadium, when the BayStars take on the Yakult Swallows. Trial users will be able to send and receive real-time interactive messages on cell phones and other mobile terminals.

Background

Although instant messaging is normally thought of as a communication tool for consumer-to-consumer use, NTT DATA was quick to see the potential for business. In October 2001, the company completed development of the Air Messenger client software, AirBridge gateway for communication protocol conversion, and Air Messenger Bot forms creation tool. These Java-based components enable instant messaging among cell phones and other mobile terminals.

Taking advantage of instant messaging technology makes it possible to go beyond today's Website services for mobile terminals, offering real-time and interactive services along with push-type information provision. NTT DATA has continued to carry out a variety of studies on making instant messaging into a new mobile services platform.

The trial service at Yokohama Stadium hopes to raise the level of service to stadium visitors, letting them enjoy the excitement of live interactive links between the team and fans. Called "BayStars Messenger," the service makes use of Air Messenger and Air Messenger Bot customized for the trial. Various services will be offered before, during and after the game so that the effectiveness and potential can be studied from several different angles.

BayStars Messenger Service

"BayStars Messenger" is a customized version of the Air Messenger wireless instant messaging client software developed by NTT DATA. It has been adapted for use by BayStars fans in this trial service. Visitors to Yokohama Stadium for the October 12 game with the Yakult Swallows who come with a cell phone that supports this service (See Note 1) will be able to use the BayStars Messenger software to take part in the trial service. Specifics are given below.

Users of BayStars Messenger will be able to enjoy the following services.

• Behind-the-scenes information: Reports from the dugout will be flashed periodically.
• Quiz games: Who will get the first hit? Which players will hit home runs? Those who correctly guess these and other questions will receive small prizes.
• Lottery: Drawings will take place each inning.
• Survey: Questions about the instant messaging service itself, etc.

Plans for the Future

Following this trial of wireless instant messaging in the world of professional sports, new possibilities for wireless instant messaging will be explored in other areas as well.

NTT DATA will carry out studies aimed at full-scale application of wireless instant messaging to next season's professional baseball games, as well as to other pro and amateur sports and events of various kinds. At the same time incorporation of Air Messenger and AirBridge as components of the NTT DATA mobile solution BizEmotion will be studied, for application to mobile systems used by corporations and in many other fields.

For Reference

  Trial Service Overview
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2002 (moved to Oct. 13 if postponed by rain)
Place: Yokohama BayStars vs. Yakult Swallows game at Yokohama Stadium
Offered services: Quiz games and drawings based on the game progress
Availability: 500 stadium visitors, based on early arrival and the requirements below
Must meet all the following conditions:

• In possession of a cell phone supporting BayStars Messenger service (See Note 1).
• Arrival at Yokohama Stadium before the 2:00 p.m. game time on Saturday, October 12, with a valid ticket for the game.
• Responsible for payment of the packet charges incurred in the service.

How to participate:

• Choose "BayStars Messenger" from the Yokohama BayStars Official Website (See Note 2), fill out the simple registration form and download the BayStars Messenger client software.
• The download will be available from 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 10 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12.
• Use of the service requires a password, provided at the stadium Saturday.

Cost: Free (users will, however, be responsible for packet and other cell
phone service use charges incurred in the trial).


Notes:

1. Compatible models are NTT DoCoMo 503i Series and 504i Series, and au by KDDI models supporting ezplus.
2. NTT DoCoMo phones:
     [i Menu]->[Menu List]->[Sports/Hobbies]->[Baseball/Soccer]
     [BayStars Hot News]->[What's New]->[Trial Service Announcement]
   au by KDDI phones:
     [EZ Menu]->[EZ Internet]->[Sports]->[Baseball]->[ BayStars Hot
     News]->[What's New]->[Trial Service Announcement]

Cooperating Companies

• Yokohama BayStars Baseball Club, Inc.
• Yokohama Stadium, Ltd.
• Sun Microsystems, Inc.
• ASCADE, Inc.

For Reference
Main Features of BayStars Messenger
Yokohama BayStars Official Website: http://www.baystars.co.jp/
Yokohama Stadium Official Website: http://www.yokohama-stadium.co.jp/

Air Messenge^TM, AirBridge^TM and BizEmotion^TM are trademarks of NTT DATA Corporation.
The other company names and product names herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.


Main Features of BayStars Messenger