[07.11.2006]

QUBITSTAR SYSTEMS launches "LOTeMa" through the internet, a point service application using "FeliCa" non-contact IC technology.

QUBITSTAR SYSTEMS launches "LOTeMa" through the internet, a point service application using "FeliCa" non-contact IC technology

QUBITSTAR SYSTEMS Inc. (Head Office: 3-15-6 Shibaura, Minato ward, Tokyo, President and CEO: Nobuhiko Seki, Capital: ￥125,000,000-, hereunder called "QUBITSTAR"), a provider of platforms for Ubiquitous Computing, launches "LOTeMa", a service that enables to issue discount points using "FeliCa"* non-contact IC technology.

The service name of "LOTeMa" stands for "Long Tail Miles for the Rest of Us". By offering the software using the renting methods (ASP or SaaS) for a certain period over the internet, we could succeed in lowering the price so that even small-scale entrepreneurs who belonged to the "Long Tail" group and could not afford an expensive point service system until now can introduce such system.

Consumers can receive the service instantly by the Mobile Wallet and the cards using "FeliCa" chips such as Suica or Edy. Therefore, entrepreneurs do not need to provide special cards anew for them. The convenience for consumers is even boosted tremendously compared with the conventional point system, as consumers can keep the discount points which rates are set freely by entrepreneurs and the common mile* (the tentative name: LOTe Mile, hereunder called "LOTe Mile") simultaneously. Also, consumers can save or use discount points by simply placing a cell-phone or a card over a scanner and are not required to make their private information such as their addresses or names known to entrepreneurs.

Our company plans to introduce this application to 100 entrepreneurs by spring next year when private railways start introducing Suica, and then to 3,000 entrepreneurs or 1% of 300,000 service entrepreneurs throughout Tokyo and six adjoining prefectures in the Kanto area. Within three years as "FeliCa" spreads widely, we aim to introduce this system to 10,000 entrepreneurs or 1% of one million service entrepreneurs throughout Japan. We are also planning to supply the special terminal based on the embedded technology we have.

[Price for offering the service]
The service is available for the monthly usage fee of ￥15,000 every month and 2% of the sales for which points are issued as the system usage charge. The initial cost charged separately is ￥100,000 (excluding the tax). Right now, we are in the campaign period commemorating the start of the service and are offering the service with a discount price.


[About the terms]
*FeliCa
A FeliCa card is a plastic card incorporating the nonvolatile memory and the wireless communication chips and capable of exchanging data such as payments of fares simply by placing it over the reader terminal. It is equipped with the security function making forgery and falsification difficult and is certified according to ISO/IEC 15408 EAL4 standard for the first time as a non-contact IC card.
As FeliCa technology can manage plural kinds of data in one card, it is possible to make a card having various functions such as electronic money, a prepaid card for public transportation, an employee ID card, a student ID card and an ID card for managing entering and leaving a room. These data are managed independently in a FeliCa chip, separate access authority can be set and safe interoperability is possible among plural services.
The electronic circuits within a FeliCa card run receiving its power from the electromagnetic waves transmitted from a reader. Because it does not have an electric cell or a battery within a card, the structure of a card is made simple preventing a situation that it cannot be used due to battery shutoff.

*Common Mile
"LOTeMa" offers a common mile named "LOTe Mile" which consumers can save commonly from LOTeMa member stores introducing "LOTeMa" in addition to a discount point which rate entrepreneurs can set freely. This means that consumers can save two kinds of points for using the service just once.

Inquiries

QUBITSTAR SYSTEMS Inc. Business Cordination Center.
5th floor, Shimakuratamachi building
3-15-6 Shibaura, Minato ward, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan
TEL:03-5484-6655