Over the last year, all four global distribution system companies have rolled out more user friendly versions of their main flight/hotel and car-booking systems.
The new products are designed for the small to medium-sized agent. They are less expensive than the traditional product as many of them run over the Internet, so that all the agent needs is a PC, modem and Internet account.
They are easier to set up and more intuitive than traditional reservation systems as they are based on modern point-and-click technology. This can cut down on the need for staff training and can boost productivity as new agents do not need to learn complicated industry codes to make a booking. They can also give the agent mobility – some products can run on a laptop that plugs in to the Internet. The products are constantly being enhanced and updated with new modules, but Travel Weekly has compiled a snapshot of what’s currently on offer from Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan and Amadeus.
Sabre
Planet Sabre: is software that makes the main Sabre reservation system easier for agents to use as it sits on top and hides the complexity of the under-lying GDS.
With the traditional Sabre system, agents need to memorise cryptic codes for airports – as if they are programming a computer – whereas with Planet Sabre, agents can rely on drop-down menus and point and click their way through the screen.
The company claims this reduces the need for training and helps agents focus on making bookings and serving the customer, not learning how to use software.
Industry veterans should not feel left out – the software allows them to stick with the cryptic codes they have used for years, if they find it is quicker to make a booking this way.
The product is suitable for agencies with 10 staff or fewer, that do a mix of leisure and business bookings.
On sale now is version 2.0 of the software, available for a one-off payment of $149 per PC. A key features of the new version is that it now does airline bookings. Agents can see more hire car/hotel/flight options on screen – 12 instead of the previous six.
Aside from the software, agents need to rent a monthly subscription to the Sabre database.
Sabre estimates it has around 600 sites in the UK using version 1.0. Customers can upgrade to version 2.0 free of charge. It will run on the same hardware. The company claims Planet Sabre is the most extensively tested product it has ever brought out.
Sabre Net Platform: was released last month. The product is a portable version of the Sabre reservation system.
It is designed for agency chains that can’t afford to have a dedicated phone link to Sabre in all branches. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC and an Internet account.
To use the current product, agents need to know the industry’s cryptic airport codes, although a new graphical version is due out in February 2000, which will be easier for newcomers to use.
The product is available for a one-off payment of £32 plus a monthly subscription of £32 per PC.
The company estimates using Sabre Net Platform over the Internet could work out between five and 10 times less expensive than traditional Sabre access.
Worldspan
Worldspan Net: is a browser-based version of the Worldspan GDS that runs over the Internet. Agents can use it to book flights, car rental and hotels.
It is suitable for small agencies, start-up companies who want a quick launch into the industry or consultants working from home, as the company claims you can be up and running within 24hrs. Agents pay a one-off fee of £150 per PC per annum.
Over the next few months, Worldspan plans to roll out a software module that will allow International Air Transport Associationagents to print out travel tickets in-house.
Expert agents can use the industry’s cryptic codes to make hotel and flight bookings, while newcomers to the trade can point and click their way through the graphical user interface.
To use the product, agents need a laptop or a desk-based PC with Internet access.
Travel Assist: is a point-and-click booking tool with drop-down menus. It hides the complexity of the underlying GDS, and so cuts out the need for agents to know the industry’s cryptic codes for airports and hotels.
Agencies can load private fare databases and compare scheduled air fares with negotiated special rates. It costs from £125 per month for a low volume of bookings. Currently, agents need a dedicated phone line, but in the first half of next year, Worldspan plans to bring out a version that will run on the Internet.
Galileo
WebFare: is an Internet-based flight-booking system, due out this week.
The product is free to agents, who can sign up on-line and receive a password and ID within two days.
The facility to book hotels and cars will be added to the product later.
WebFare is designed for start-up agencies or those who do a low volume of scheduled flights. Agents can use it to book ABA flights ie, simple return flights that start and finish in the same city, ie not multi-leg itineraries. See article, page 50.
FocalpointNet: is currently being tested at customer sites. This system is a browser-based version of the company’s main system called Focalpoint.
With FocalpointNet, agents can make flight, car and hotel bookings.
It costs £60 a month per licence and can run on a laptop or PC.
As the product runs over the Internet, agents do not need a dedicated phone line.
Agents can use this product with Viewpoint, Galileo’s easy-to-use front screen that reduces the need for training for newcomers to the industry.
Amadeus
Vista: is a browser-based product for booking flights, hire cars and hotels. Designed for small to medium-sized agencies, it has already been released in the US.
The system is now being tested by customers in the UK, and is expected to be rolled out for sale next year.
Agents that are experts on the main Amadeus system can use the industry’s cryptic codes for hotels and airports.
New agents can point and click their way through the system – a graphical user interface and on-line help make the product easy to use.
One key feature is the inclusion of so-called push technology – special offers flash across the screen from right to left on a continuous feed on each agent’s PC, saving the agency from having to write on an office white board.
Prices are not available yet, but the company is likely to introduce a one-off payment rather than a monthly subscription. To use Vista, agents need an Internet account.
Tempo Connect: is a browser-based version of the company’s main Pro Tempo reservations system.
It is due out in the second quarter of next year. Agents need a PC and modem to dial up over the Internet.
The company estimates that call charges will be much cheaper with the Internet version, compared to the existing dial-up account.