ANITE has introduced a new service for cash-strapped small operators that will allow them to access its ATOPreservations and administration system without buying equipment or software.
The tour operator systems supplier has traditionally sold to large operators such as First Choice and Virgin which can afford ATOP. Now medium and smaller-sized operators will be able to access the system through a lease line that will link their PCs to the ATOP system at Anite’s Slough HQ.
Instead of paying the hundreds of thousands of pounds that larger operators pay to purchase the software, maintenance and management costs, smaller operators will pay for a link to the ATOP database according to their size, with Anite charging ú1 per passenger carried.
Anite’s sales director business systems Kevin Thorogood said: “We wanted to take the access to the small to medium end of the market because a lot of them cannot afford ATOP. The answer was to licence it out and charge on a transaction fee.”
Prices will vary from operator to operator but there will be a minimum fee. The deal means customers get full use of ATOP with access to the viewdata network as well as an on line connection to the major computer reservation systems. Customers will also be able to connect on-line to credit-card authority houses for immediate verification.
For ú2 per passenger, Anite is also offering customers fully interactive on-line booking options.
Anite is holding an open day for potential customers on March 26. For information, call Sarah Walker on 01753 822221 or e-mail at travel@anitesystems.com or go to the Web site www.anitesystems.com