Account aggregation service

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November 5, 2002

Plala Networks, Inc.

Plala to provide account aggregation service Agurippa as an application service provider

Plala Networks, Inc. (Koji Bandou, CEO; HQ: Toshima-ku, Tokyo), which operates Internet provider Plala (http://www.plala.or.jp/), will begin to offer the account aggregation system (Brand Name: INFOBOND; trademark pending) developed by NTT East, Inc. (Satoru Miura, CEO; HQ: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) as an application service provider under the brand Agurippa (trademark pending). Japan Net Bank, Limited (Shuichi Fujimori, CEO; HQ: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) will utilize this service, and from Monday, November 11 will become the first Japanese bank to offer an account aggregation service with the release of JNB Aggregation (※１).

１．What is account aggregation?

With the popularization of the Internet and the expansion of broadband, many users are now using multiple online services such as the various financial services of banks, brokerage firms, or credit cards, e-commerce services, and point-reward programs. Although usage is rapidly expanding, the end user must keep and manage a username and password for each site, and the username and password must be entered for each visit to the site. Account aggregation services relieve these complexities. By registering the username and password for each service once at the aggregation site, the end user can automatically access the various sites, and can check credit card or e-commerce site use history, utility payment information, or other such items in one view.

The service began approximately two years ago in the U.S., and now in Japan as well the momentum for implementation of the service among large financial institutions and companies managing portal sites is growing, and a flood of new, user-friendly services making use of the functionality are expected.

２．Characteristics of Agurippa

Offering the first service developed in Japan
Plala Networks, Inc. has licensed NTT East, Inc.’s INFOBOND account aggregation system. The entire system is developed and maintained by the company exclusively within Japan and is the first such account aggregation system among those being offered in Japan. For this reason, it is possible to customize the system and to offer expanded features based on the marketing plans and business practices of their various partner industries.
Highly secure and reliable
In addition to the use of the 128 bit SSL security feature, all passwords and other important information are encrypted within their data center, and this information is not accessible to anyone but the user. Also, the make-up of the system adheres to the guidelines of the FISC security feature standard (※２), and Plala has implemented and made public a security policy and privacy policy. They are offering a robust service that both their partners and users can utilize without concern.

３． Advantages for companies implementing the system

(1)Increased number of site visits
By implementing this service, the provision of one-stop service becomes possible, leading to an increase in the level of customer satisfaction. Together with better user retention and the increase in transaction volume that can be expected, usability is also improved, leading to the acquisition of new users.

(2)Gathering of marketing data
An information accumulation feature is included, and marketing data is provided in daily and monthly units. Information for the aggregation site such as the number of registered users and site access frequency sorted by user gender, user age, or by content partner can be useful for marketing purposes.

(3)Development of value-added services
With the prior consent of the user, by linking aggregate data with user profile information, CRM (※３) functionality becomes possible. Also, by coupling aggregate data with financial planning tools, it becomes possible to provide advice about asset management.

４． Corporate sites with viewable account information

Aggregation services become effective through partnerships that cut across a wide range of industries. Taking advantage of Plala’s connections with financial institutions, portal sites, and e-commerce and other Internet-related companies as well as the neutrality of the NTT Group, Plala Networks is already able to display the content of the sites of over 20 companies from a variety of industries, and these numbers are steadily growing.

※For information on company sites to be available for browsing when JNB Aggregation is released, please see JNB’s press releases and Website.

５． Future plans

In response to the requests of their partners and changes in the use and usage environment of end users, Plala Networks will further enhance their services and features. As a first step, in December of this year they plan to add (1) an Alert Mail feature that sends an email notice when conditions pre-set by the user are met and (2) an Auto Login feature which uses registered authentification information to automate login procedures for various sites. In addition, they are considering compatibility with Lmode and iMode as client platforms for the service as well as the addition of instant messaging and other communication tools, making real-time consultations possible and creating an environment that is appropriate for the age of high-speed Internet.

【Agurippa Website】　http://agurippa.com/

■For additional information please contact
　Plala Networks, Inc. Account Aggregation Promotion Office
E-mail:agurippa@plala.co.jp

(※１) About JNB Aggregation
Beginning Monday, November 11, JNB will offer an account aggregation service utilizing Agurippa. Users that already have accounts with JNB will be able to use JNB Aggregation by simply registering for the service at the site through their normal Web browser.
【Japan Net Bank, Limited】　http://www.japannetbank.co.jp/

(※２) Security standards set by FISC
Refers to “Security Guidelines on Computer Systems for Banking and Related Financial Institutions” set down by The Center for Financial Industry Information Systems (FISC).

(※３) ＣＲＭ［Customer Relationship Management］
Refers to a business system for the comprehensive management of information related to the various contact points/relationships between companies and their customers including purchase and usage history as well as customer comments and complaints. This makes possible a long-term strategy for revenue growth by increasing the customer retention rate through the provision of optimal service to customers.