| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 28 |
| Copyright: Other |
Front-office system
Go ahead: staff at Buxton’s agency have adopted the system without needing training
TARSC product looks to boost agent campaigns
Report by JULIETDENNIS
TARSC Travel Systems’ new Windows-based front-office system will allow agents to compete with direct-sell operators with their own sales campaigns.
Called New TARSC, the system will operate via the Internet and will aim to provide a seamless link to Microsoft products so agents can easily e-mail clients with sales letters or special offers, and e-mail invoices, insurance returns and accounts.
Vertical Systems, which produces TARSC, was initially reluctant to install a Windows system because it was not convinced it was right for agents.
Now that it has produced an agent-friendly screen, which does not involve the use of a mouse, the company has been installing New TARSC for an upgrade fee since its launch two months ago.
The fee is based on the individual company and the number of users it has.
TARSC director Stewart Hall said: “The system runs across the Internet. Now agents can e-mail documents to clients and send invoices by e-mail. Before they had to use the fax and it was not easy to e-mail.
“There is a direct interface with Windows. They can e-mail the accountant instead of printing a form out and sending it back. It speeds the process up.”
It also reduces staff training, uses standard Windows commands and connects agency branches on-line with head offices.
TARSC marketing director Kerry Costello added: “Even the smallest independent can contact potential customers with sales letters using the data already stored on the system for the price of a stamp.”
Maurice Buxton, a partner of Four Seasons Travel in Shenfield, Essex, has just had his computers updated with the new system.
“Staff have taken to it without training. It integrates everything on one screen so you don’t have to close one file down and open another during searches and we can record accounts and statistics while doing bookings,” he said.