In-App Voice Call Function for Parents and Instructors Pre-Released on Extracurricular Activity Local Expansion DX App 'b+'

Acial Design Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Shota Kozono) has pre-released an "in-app voice call function" on its DX app "b+" (b-plus) designed for the local expansion of extracurricular activities. The function allows direct communication between parents and instructors within the app without exchanging personal phone numbers, and its rollout has commenced sequentially starting with select local government workspaces.

This function is provided within the "b+" DX app, which constitutes "GPaaS (Government Process as a Service) [patent pending]," an integrated platform for the local expansion of extracurricular activities officially launched by the company. It aims to achieve both the efficiency of field operations and safety management/transparency. The function is pre-released for iOS first, with Android compatibility to follow sequentially.

Issues with "Communication Methods" in Extracurricular Activities and Local Club Operations

In the operation of extracurricular activities and local clubs, exchanging personal mobile phone numbers or messaging app accounts has long been common practice for communication between parents and instructors. While seemingly simple, this practice has exposed structural risks as reforms for the local expansion of extracurricular activities enter their implementation phase:

- Risk of personal information leaks due to contact exchange between instructors and parents. - Generation of unnecessary communication due to contact exchange. - Blind spots in safety management because call history is not visible to the management.

However, in the field of extracurricular activities, securing immediate communication channels between parents and instructors is essential in times of emergency (accidents, sudden illness, sudden weather changes, transportation delays). Simply banning the exchange of personal contact information makes operation impossible, creating a dilemma. A new communication foundation under the management of the operators that balances privacy protection with emergency contact capability has been required.

In the local expansion of extracurricular activities, where instructors are shifting from school teachers to local human resources, failing to resolve this issue and relying on personal devices for communication could damage the sustainability of the entire field.

Features of the "b+" In-App Voice Call Function

To address these challenges, the company has integrated a beta version of the function that enables voice calls within the b+ app.

- Exchanging Personal Contact Info Not Required Parents and instructors logged into b+ can call each other with a single tap. Phone numbers are not displayed or exchanged, and access can be blocked immediately by disabling permissions within the app upon withdrawal.

- Transparency via Call History and Recording All calls are logged, allowing operators to audit them for safety management. It serves as evidence for parent interactions and ensures the quality of instruction.

- Call Guard Limit of 5 Minutes To structurally prevent redundant long calls and restrict calls to emergency use, call duration is capped at a maximum of 5 minutes per call.

- Club-Level Deployment The function can be turned ON/OFF on a club-by-club basis from the admin panel of each municipality or operating organization, allowing gradual deployment based on actual field needs.

- Night-Time Restrictions Administrators can configure set times during which the call function can be used (e.g., only between 9:00 and 21:00).

Position of This Function in the Extracurricular Activity Integration Platform "GPaaS"

The fundamental challenge in the local expansion of extracurricular activities is not just the lack of single features like "instructor shortages" or "absence of contact methods," but the fragmentation of multiple elements (human resources, operation, parents, payments, data, communication channels) across individual devices and services. This function addresses this fragmentation. By integrating communication channels onto the platform, the company ensures operational transparency, safety management, and post-resignation governance on a single foundation, further enhancing the completeness of GPaaS as an implementation infrastructure for local governments and operators.

Comment from Motoki Isogai, Head of Technology Strategy Division

"In our direct discussions with municipalities and local clubs nationwide, the in-app voice call function was one of the most requested features. We are thrilled to finally deliver it. Our strength lies in our ability to run a fast cycle of listening to feedback from the field while managing daily club operations, reflecting those voices in our product, and refining its usability. As someone who was raised by extracurricular activities, I am committed to creating what the field truly needs during this historical transition period, and delivering many more releases like this."

Future Outlook

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