Network supplier Imminus has signed up 400 agency sites to its new Endeavour product, launched November last year. The new desktop software – and underlying network service – provides booking, e-mail and Internet access all on one screen, similar to X-TANT’s new TravelEye product.
By the end of the year, Imminus expects to sign up all of its existing network customers provided they have PCs, as Endeavour runs on Microsoft Windows 95. Imminus head of travel and leisure Keith Webber said: “Around 60% of independent agents use PCs on the counter, with the rest using older viewdata terminals. Inevitably some agencies with PCs will have quite old machines that may not run Endeavour. They will need to upgrade.”
He added: “Now that agencies have got over the millennium bug and got through the peak-booking months of January and February, many are turning their attention to their technology requirements.
“They are aware that with the advance of the Internet and interactive digital television they have to move quickly to make sure they equip themselves with the same tools their customers use.”
On the company’s nationwide roadshow circuit last month, which attracted 700 agents, Webber stressed to agents the company’s new all-inclusive pricing. “The most difficult barrier to understanding the system was the fact it costs £199 a month for up to four users. That includes unlimited usage of our system and the Internet for those staff. There are no call charges on top of that. And there is no installation fee for up to four PCs in an agency. People couldn’t quite understand that,” said Webber.
Imminus’ Endeavour is designed to provide everything a travel agent needs on one desktop.
Aside from its booking, e-mail and Internet access, Imminus has combed the Internet for the most useful travel Web sites and provides links to them. Links included are airport sites, weather listings and the Foreign Office to check its travel advisory service.
There are three levels of Internet usage: full access, interim access or no access. Branch managers can decide the level that is appropriate to each type of staff. “Many agency owners are cautious about giving staff full access,” said Webber, “Because of the huge number of inappropriate sites out there.
“They are also concerned about the amount of time that staff could potentially waste by looking at non-travel-related information.”