(Hong Kong, 11 May 2003) ESDlife (www.esdlife.com) has announced the launch of a new online change-of-address service, bringing greater convenience to the house-moving process. The Easy Change of Address service allows the public to instantly inform more than 10 government departments as well as commercial organisations that they have moved their registered address. And it all just takes a few minutes.

One-stop updating: No e-cert required

Moving home can be trial at the best of times, with a million things to be done to make it all go smoothly. For one thing, friends and relatives need to be informed of your new address, as do government departments and companies whose services you use, such as telecommunications firms. In the past, notifying different government departments required a letter to be sent to each one. But not any more. ESDlife's Easy Change of Address service brings a new level of convenience to the whole process. With a few simple steps, a new address can now be updated with departments such as the Water Supplies Department, Rating and Valuation Department and Registration and Electoral Office simply and conveniently through the ESDlife website. This new free service is currently available for 12 government departments, with more due to be added soon.

Inform service suppliers and commercial organisations of your move in one go

As it is not only government departments that need to be updated, ESDlife has joined hands with businesses to make the notification process even more convenient. Participating business in the first stage include major telecommunications companies Orange and Hutchison Global Communications.

"The new service not only delivers greater convenience to the public, it also helps companies with their business," said Tony Ma, ESDlife's Chief Operating Officer. "For the public, government departments and businesses can be notified of an address change in a few simple steps at just one site. While for the companies, especially retail and services firms, customer addresses are a vital marketing channel and it's important that they are current. The Easy Change of Address service makes moving home that much simpler for users and businesses. With more government departments and businesses seeing the clear benefits of the service, we expect the range of partners for the service to expand quickly."

Four simple steps to Change an Address: No postage necessary!

The new Easy Change of Address service has four easy steps:

1. The user enters their personal or company information;

2. The organisations that need to be informed are selected;

3. Specific information for the selected organisations (such as the user account number) is entered; and

4. The entered information is confirmed and the notification is submitted.

As an online service, it operates 24 hours a day, so is convenient to access from home or the office. And it dispenses with the need for sending out letters, making it environmentally friendly.

ESDlife members enjoy extra convenience

ESDlife members using the new service can enjoy additional convenience. When they first use the Easy Change of Address service, they can enter their member name and password, and their registered personal information will automatically load on-screen, allowing any necessary amendments to be made instantly. Apart from receiving the latest news on e-government services, ESDlife members also enjoy special promotional offers. To become an ESDlife member, simply register at the ESDlife website.

Features of the Easy Change of Address service

1. Inform more than 10 government departments as well as commercial organisations of your new address in one easy go.

2. 24 x 7 service. Not limited to office hours.

3. No need for an e-cert.

4. Completed in four simple steps.

5. Submitting the application electronically saves paper and promotes environmental protection.

6. ESDlife members enjoy extra convenience. The system will automatically load their registered personal information, so there's no need to input it again.

7. Free-of-charge service.

The Easy Change of Address service is currently available for the following government departments and businesses:

Government Departments
Water Supplies Department
Rating and Valuation Department
Registration and Electoral Office
Housing Authority
Treasury Department
Student Financial Assistance Agency
Labour Department
Lands Department
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Auxiliary Medical Service
Office of the Telecommunication Authority
Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority
Business Organisations
Orange
Hutchison Global Communications

Media Enquiries:

Caris Wan       ESD Services Ltd       Tel: 2128 9880       email: cariswan@esdlife.com