Datalex Automates Corporate Travel Program for Siemens

Major deal gives Datalex firm foothold in corporate travel stakes

Dynamic corporate travel policy management resulting in cost-efficient travel procurement strategies are the key benefits to be gained by Siemens UK, which recently selected, Datalex (ISE: DLE; OTC: DLEXY), a leading provider for travel technology solutions, to deploy an online corporate travel booking solution for its UK-based corporate travel program that caters for some 15,000 travelers.

BookIt! CORPORATE, the Datalex online travel management system, enables Siemens UK staff to quickly and easily book its own travel arrangements in compliance with corporate travel policy, route deals and the traveler’s own profile. The system is implemented for use in multiple business units and locations within Siemens in the UK. The Datalex solution is also integrated with Siemens’ UK-based proprietary hotel database and connects directly to other hosts systems via the BookIt! MATRIX integration platform, on which the BookIt! CORPORATE system is based.

“Using the Datalex BookIt! CORPORATE system, Siemens in the UK can expect reduced operational costs, optimised purchasing and an improvement in end-user satisfaction as the activities of managers, travelers and agents are linked online,” said Aidan Brogan, VP International Sales, EMEA, Datalex.

Based on a technology platform that supports open standards and provides a complete range of air, car, hotel, rail and ferry host connectivity options, the solution empowers Siemens to maintain agency, fulfilment-partner, GDS and
travel-supplier independency, therefore retaining control and evolving its own travel procurement strategy. The system also provides comprehensive management information to identify “out of policy” leakage, monitor corporate
travel spending against purchasing strategy and leverage its position with carriers when negotiating route deals.

About Datalex
Datalex provides technology to leading global travel industry suppliers and distributors that enable them to aggregate and package a broad range of travel components for distribution across multiple sales channels.

Datalex’s customers include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Amadeus, American Express, American Trans Air, Amtrak, Best Western International, California State Automobile Association, Delta Air Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, FAR&WIDE, Galileo, KLM, LasVegas.com, Lufthansa, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Page & Moy, Siemens Canada and Germany, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, SNCF, Sol Melia, South African Airways, Thomas Cook, Trailfinders, TravelBag, Travelcare, T-Systems, Vail Resorts Inc. Unisys, WEXAS and Worldspan.

Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices across Europe, the USA and the Asia-Pacific region. Datalex is a publicly held company traded on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE symbol: DLE) and over the counter (OTC symbol: DLEXY).

About Siemens in the UK
With an annual turnover of nearly £2.6 billion and new orders of approximately £2.3 billion for the financial year ending September 2002, Siemens in the UK operates through a decentralised structure of companies in the following industry sectors: Information and Communications; Automation and Control; Power; Transportation; Medical; Lighting; Domestic Appliances; Financial Services; and Research & Development.

Headquartered in Bracknell, Berkshire, Siemens has nearly 16,000 employees across the UK. The company made a significant contribution to the economy through its export performance, which totalled approximately £424 million in 2001-02.
http:// www.datalex.com