Currently, Big Bang is offering its corporate clients ExLook for Exchange, which enables access from mobile devices to Microsoft Exchange Server client-server messaging and groupware. By way of this alliance, Microsoft intends a "smooth migration path" from ExLook* to Microsoft Mobile Information Server 2001 in future releases. For Japanese corporate users, the migration path will enable them to immediately start developing new-generation mobile systems based on Microsoft® .NET technologies.

• Promote mobile solutions based on the ExLook and Exchange Server
• Acquire 500 additional corporate customers in 2001
• Support businesses in the implementation of mobile solutions based on the .NET platform.
• Provide solutions for migrating from ExLook to Mobile Information Server to enable greater security, scalability, reliability and manageability.
• Develop applications and add-ons uniquely suited for the Japan enterprise based on Mobile Information Server such as

• E-commerce solutions providing interoperability with the Microsoft Commerce Server and the Biztalk™ Server products.
• Template collections supporting mobile devices on Exchange Server.
• Group Scheduling solutions supporting mobile devices.

Besides its alliance with Big Bang, Microsoft Japan announced the opening of the Microsoft Mobility Solution Center (MSC) for Japan. This is one of four regional mobility centers that the company is establishing worldwide to conduct sales, marketing, and solutions development. In addition, Microsoft Japan expects to open a Mobile Solutions Plaza in its Tokyo Message Plaza in February. It will provide an environment in which users can obtain practical experience in mobile solutions.

*ExLook enables mobile devices to access and manipulate e-mail, schedules, appointments, tasks, and other data stored on Exchange Server. It supports i-mode, EZweb, J-SKY, and H"LINK.