Travelport moves to replace agent point of sale systems
Travelport GDS has acquired certain software assets and intellectual property from G2 Switchworks to be used in the development of a future agent desktop solution.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The deal includes G2 SwitchWorks’ Kestrel point-of-sale application, the G2 web service core and a number of associated software development tools.
Travelport intends to use Kestrel, the G2 web service core, and associated tools as key elements in the development of a new unified, travel agent desktop solution, expected to be released early next year.
The new Travelport solution will ultimately replace the company’s current agent point of sale products – FocalPoint/ViewPoint from Galileo and Go! from Worldspan.
Developed over the past year by G2 SwitchWorks, Kestrel provides a “point-and-click†point-of-sale solution that enables agents to search for and book travel content across multiple sources including the Global Distribution Systems.
It also includes the ability for agents to manage data-rich traveler profiles outside the GDS, enabling precise targeting of customer-specific offers, upgrades and incentives, according to Travelport.
Travel bookings are stored in a GDS-sensitive Universal Record Database which provides enhanced functionality in the agent desktop resulting in significant productivity gains independent of the GDS to which the agent subscribes.
Travelport president and CEO Gordon Wilson said: “Travelport has taken another significant step towards the creation of the industry’s first comprehensive, fully-integrated agency desktop.
“Our customers require the seamless integration of selling and merchandising programmes, improved workflow, process automation and content aggregation. Integrating the G2 technology into our existing plans will accelerate Travelport’s delivery of what we believe will be an industry leading capability.
“Additional value-added services, such as comprehensive traveller profiling and expanded agency search and customer service options, will combine to create a compelling proposition that suits the way today’s agents want to sell.â€
by Phil Davies
Chitra Mogul
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