NEW CALL-LINK PRODUCT ATTRACTS LATE DEALS BARGAIN HUNTERS

A new product launched by Call-link Communications will make out of date, time-consuming window cards a thing of the past.

Window Card Maker is a new system which enables travel agents to produce window cards simply and easily with up-to-date information so they can capitalise on the ‘late deals’ market.

Call-link Communications has been asked to market WCM by Ilkeston Co-op Travel, the company which originally developed the system.

The shop window is arguably the single most important marketing tool available to high street retailers, with research revealing that 50 per cent of customers booking late holidays and flights are attracted by window cards.

However, because producing window cards using viewdata can be time-consuming, the office junior is often given the task. The cards are also generally hand-written on pre-printed templates which make agents’ windows look less attractive and unprofessional.

Then, once the cards have been displayed in the windows, customers are often disappointed to find that, due to the limited availability of the late deals and frequent price changes, the cards displayed are out of date.

Window Card Maker avoids all this. Staff simply click on the WCM icon on their desktop, which brings up an options screen. From here, agents can choose from search criteria such as board, departure point, destination, duration, tour operator and departure range.

The system will display the 50 most suitable holidays matching the request. Staff can then select the holiday of their choice and are able to verify availability by clicking the ‘check’ button. This enables them to carry out a live viewdata session, which is pre-programmed to directly take the user to the specific chosen holiday.

If the holiday is available, the user ends the viewdata session and the holiday is displayed. If it is no longer available or a price change has occurred, the holiday is removed from the selection.

The cards are displayed in groups of three and are placed separately on a branded ‘lates’ board using an A4 plain sleeve pocket to hold it in place. The time the holiday was selected and the staff code for validation also appears on each card.

Peter Whittle, Call-link’s head of marketing, said: “Window Card Maker is yet another product from Call-link which is focussed on improving customer service and increasing productivity for travel agents.

“By using the system several times a day, agents can ensure their window display is vibrant, dynamic and up-to-date. Previously, making window cards was a time-consuming, unwanted job, but now staff will be able to take pride in creating the most attractive window on the high street by simply pressing a few buttons.”

ENDS

For further press information, please contact: Siobhan Sheils
Paver Downes
Tel: 0151 293 0505
Email:[email protected]

Notes to Editors

1. Window Card Maker was originally developed by Ilkeston Co-op Travel, who received the Amadeus Innovation Award for the system at The British Travel Awards 2002.

2. Ilkeston Co-op Travel has given the marketing rights to Window Card Maker to Call-link Communications so the company can offer the product to the general travel agency community.