REDMOND, Wash., June 4, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced United Airlines has implemented the Microsoft® .NET Alerts service to offer United customers instant flight status information. The .NET Alerts service uses MSN® Messenger, Microsoft Windows®
Messenger and MSN Mobile service to send time-sensitive notifications directly to a customer’s desktop computer, cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA). By using .NET Alerts, customers traveling on United Airlines can receive important travel notifications of flight departure and arrival times, delays, cancellations, seat upgrades and more, in a timely and effective manner. The Microsoft .NET Alerts service further expands United’s EasyUpdate offering, which currently notifies travelers of critical flight updates via phone calls, fax or e-mail messages, or wireless text messaging using technology provided by Centerpost Corp.
“United Airlines’ implementation of .NET Alerts is a great example of how the technology can offer businesses the ability to more deeply connect with customers, offering more unique, value-added services, enabling their customers to make the most of their time,”
said Umaimah Mendhro, product manager for .NET Alerts at Microsoft.
“.NET Alerts gives consumers critical, relevant information when and where they need it most — an offer particularly valuable for travelers.”
With more than 100 million people worldwide currently using the Microsoft instant messaging network , which includes Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger, there is great opportunity for companies to offer value-added services and build closer relationships with their customers.
“Given the extraordinary popularity of instant messaging, United felt that incorporating Microsoft’s .NET Alerts technology into the EasyUpdate service would meet the needs of a great number of our customers,”
said John Tague, executive vice president of Customers at United.
“Given the urgency of the information, instant message notifications via Microsoft .NET Alerts is an effective way for customers to stay updated.”
With Microsoft .NET Alerts, United customers can stay informed of any unexpected flight changes whenever they are online or wherever their mobile device is active by selecting the notifications they want to receive and where they want to receive them. Intelligent routing rules allow customers to request that alerts be sent as instant messaging (IM) notifications on their computer and on their cell phone or wireless PDA when they are away from their desktop.
Integrated into United’s EasyUpdate service by Microsoft strategic partner Centerpost Corp., .NET Alerts will offer an enhanced experience to United Airlines customers, offering them assurance they are receiving the most up-to-date information and will not have to waste precious hours waiting at the airport for a delayed or cancelled flight.
“We are confident that Microsoft’s .NET Alerts service will deliver increased time savings and convenience to United’s customers who choose to subscribe,”
said Matt McKnight, senior vice president of Worldwide Sales at Centerpost.
To sign up, United customers simply log on to http://united.com/easyupdate/ and enroll using their Mileage Plus number. Customers need register only once; EasyUpdate will automatically activate every time they fly with United.
More information on Microsoft .NET Alerts is available at http://www.microsoft.com/net/services/alerts/ .
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