Autobowl was created primarily by Jacob Mattingley, who now owns the product. The idea originated from a hobby project by JADEkids mentor, Arjun van Hasselt, whose students decided they could do a better job. Autobowl supported tournament registration, organising the draw, entering and updating results, providing real-time information for organisers and commentators, and updating the website for any outsiders to see. Autobowl uses JADE's hosting service, JADE Direct. Thin-client software is loaded on the customer's PC, enabling the PC to call up JADE Direct and use the server for all processing and storage.
Payment is made for the use of the server, so no capital outlay for PC software is required.
JADE has not yet worked out a charging structure, and would like to negotiate with clubs to set up services suiting their needs. Autobowl proves that JADE is a powerful programming tool in the hands of anyone with good basic skills, says Mr van Hasselt. JADEkids are chosen each year from participants in schools' programming competitions. They attend a summer camp at JADE's head office, receive a copy of the JADE programming system to work on at home, and return for refresher classes each term. Mr van Hasselt hopes JADEkids will go on to become JADE staff or developers, or work in IT in Canterbury.