 |
 |
 |
|||||||
|
In October 2005, NTT Communications launched Smart Biz Kit, using the Business FOMA® M1000 PDA from NTT DoCoMo. Smart Biz Kit can access e-mail file attachments using public wireless LAN hotspots and other access points, and with international roaming, it enables remote access from overseas. A feature of M1000 is that you can install applications, enabling expanded services like TV or phone conferencing. In addition, it can be used in combination with a range of business applications such as location-finding functions using global positioning system (GPS) peripherals.
Also, security functions like our proprietary Mobile Connect One-time Password (MCOP) authentication allow secure access to in-house systems, and if your PDA happens to get lost or stolen, you can prevent it from being operated with the remotely operated locking function, or delete data on it. In these ways, we are helping to strengthen protection against leaks of important data such as private information and other security issues.
Being able to exchange information in this way, anywhere, at any time, just as you can inside the office, is a good sign of the coming world of ubiquitous networks. Using business applications to enhance the convenience of PDAs, it will be easy to realize a “remote office ” model, allowing you to visit customers directly from home without visiting the office first. The time saved in this way can be devoted to something else, and besides the benefit of this new freedom, there will be reductions in the amount of CO2 emissions from transportation. Ubiquitous networks make a people- and earth-friendly society.
IC cards are becoming extraordinarily popular. We are continuing to expand the scope of their use, and at the same time, are undertaking challenging developments in many fields towards creating convenient new IC card applications and systems.
■IC Card Authentication for Internet Banking
With Internet banking, there are always many security threats involved with the ID and password authentication system used by many banks, such as phishing and spyware. In order to resolve this problem, in May 2005 ShinGinko Tokyo, Limited introduced the NTT Communications IC card authentication system for Internet banking. This system performs user authentication using an IC card reader based not only on a password but also on a password and information from the IC cash card. In other words, should a password leak occur through spyware or other malware, unless the IC cash card is stolen at the same time, a third party cannot gain unauthorized access to the user's account.
In this way we are continuing to use the safety and security features of IC cards, expanding the scope of their use, and at the same time offering convenient, new applications and systems to contribute to the realization of a better life.
■Introducing Multifunction IC Cards at the University of Tokyo
As part of our approach towards expanding the diversity of IC cards, we introduced NTT Communications eLWISE IC cards to the 40,000 students and faculty of the University of Tokyo in April 2005. IC faculty and student ID cards provide thorough information security management functions, and can be used for postpaid services on campus by incorporating a credit card function. At the University of Tokyo, they are now used for security authentication when entering buildings, management of attendance at lectures, lending of library books, and paperless management of health checkup records. In the future, a range of other applications are expected, such as access to facilities on campus, issue of transcripts, and electronic approval for faculty. Besides ensuring tighter security controls on campus, these IC cards will make a significant contribution to improving the efficiency of administration and the convenience of faculty and students.
In today's business world, as the importance of ICT skills increases, there are more instances where standards for objectively determining skill levels are called for. The ICT skill certification system “.com Master” has been implemented by NTT Communications since 2001. There are three levels for certifying people with the ICT skills required for success in the business world ranging from Single Star, representing a skill level sufficient to provide directions and support to Internet service users, to the advanced Triple Star level.
In January 2005, we introduced Computer Based Testing (CBT) in .com Master Single Star certification. In addition to computer scoring paper tests offered twice a year, CBT is always available at over 200 locations throughout Japan, providing more opportunities to be certified.
In the eleventh .com Master tests held in July 2006, the cumulative number of test-sitters reached 220,000, of whom 70,000 passed. This system is being adopted as a useful corporate qualification tool and is also used as an indicator of skill levels in finding employment and doing business.
■2005 Useware Grand Prix award ceremony
The NTT Communications Group company NTT Com CHEO Corporation operates CAVA, a .com Advisor & Valuable Agent system started in 2001 as home-based technical support for OCN service. CAVA allows individuals to choose the time and place they work, and to earn income according to the amount of work they do, while bringing up children or providing other care. This currently provides an employment opportunity for some 850 persons all around the country. This new work style has won acclaim from all quarters, and in 2005 it was awarded the 2005 Useware Grand Prix by the Japan Useware Association. This top award is in recognition of the most appealing service product or business model for that year from among companies providing user support services.
The Internet certificate examination “.com Master” is used as the criterion for CAVA staff skills. Class training is held nationwide twice a year to ensure that staff can respond when new services are introduced, thereby guaranteeing the quality of support as well as working to improve customer satisfaction.
Looking to the future, we intend to develop this business model and extend it to a wide variety of business categories in order to create further opportunities for employment.
Yuko Yamamoto CAVA staff
“I can return to being a mother as soon as my child gets home. Working at home is good, isn't it?”
I applied to join the CAVA staff when my child started going to school, and I wanted to start working again. Being able to work at home in your own time is very appealing to a mother.
When my child gets ill or when something suddenly comes up, I can deal with it without having to worry, and I can go back to being a mother as soon as my child gets home, so my family is happy, too. Plus, because there is no commuting involved you can use your time as you like, which is nice.
A Bridge of Friendship between Japan and China−The Chinese Information Site Café China
■Café China http://www.hellonavi.com/ (in Chinese/Japanese)
Currently there are more than 500,000 Chinese living in Japan, and it is said that more than 1 million Japanese are studying Chinese. In recent years the Chinese economy has made tremendous strides, and there has been an increase in personnel and cultural exchanges between Japan and China. Therefore, in response to the suggestion from Chinese employees at NTT Communications to help with cultural exchanges between the two countries, the Chinese information site Café China made its debut in July 2001. Café China provides information useful for Chinese living in Japan, such as news about China in Chinese, introductions to Japanese life and culture, Japanese language learning programs, bulletin boards for exchanging information, and other features. Also, for Japanese it is full of information that everybody wants to know about China, like information about employment in China, Chinese language courses, and domestic Chinese news in Japanese.
The PC site and mobile site together receive a total of about 70,000 hits a day. Looking towards the future, the NTT Communications Group will continue to provide information that contributes to mutual exchanges between the cultures of the world. (Approx. 70,000 hits a day; PC website and Mobile website combined)