- Acquires Software Assets and Intellectual Property from G2 SwitchWorks
Corp. -
LANGLEY, UK, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelport GDS today
announced that it has entered into an agreement with G2 SwitchWorks Corp.
under which it has acquired certain software assets and intellectual
property to be used in the development of a future Travelport agent desktop
solution. The agreement includes G2 SwitchWorks' Kestrel(1) point-of-sale
application, the G2 web service core and a number of associated software
development tools. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"With today's announcement, Travelport has taken another significant
step towards the creation of the industry's first comprehensive,
fully-integrated agency desktop," said Gordon Wilson, president and chief
executive officer, Travelport GDS. "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."
Travelport intends to utilize 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 in early 2009. This
new Travelport solution will incorporate, build upon and ultimately replace
the company's current agent point of sale products -- FocalPoint/ViewPoint
from Galileo and Go! from Worldspan.
Travelport also intends to expose these new capabilities via its
messaging platforms to enable development partners to gain access to the
new functionality that this acquisition is expected to provide. The
addition of this capability to Travelport's Web Services platform is
expected to enable partners to reduce their development and operation
costs.
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 (GDSs). 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. 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.
About Travelport GDS
Travelport GDS is one of the world's largest global distribution system
(GDS) providers operating both the Galileo and the Worldspan brands,
providing real-time travel information and booking capabilities to online
and offline travel agencies in over 145 countries. It also operates
Business Intelligence, which provides data and critical analysis to the
industry, and includes its Shepherd Systems subsidiary; and IT Services &
Software, which offers mission critical reservations, related software and
services management to the world's leading airlines. Travelport GDS is a
convergence of traditional and online travel distribution services that
empower airlines, travel suppliers, travel agencies, Web sites and
corporations to provide informed choice to travelers on a global platform.
Travelport GDS is a division of Travelport, one of the world's largest
service providers to the travel industry. More information is available at
http://www.travelportgds.com.
About Travelport
Travelport is one of the world's largest travel conglomerates. The
company operates three primary businesses -- Travelport GDS, a global
distribution system business; an IT Services and Software business; and
GTA, a group travel and wholesale hotel business. Travelport GDS comprises
the Galileo and Worldspan brands and includes Business Intelligence, a data
analysis business. The IT Services and Software business hosts mission
critical applications and provides business solutions for major airlines.
Travelport also owns approximately 48% of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), a
leading global online travel company. With on-going annual revenues of
approximately $2.8 billion, Travelport operates in 145 countries and has
approximately 6,000 employees.
Travelport is a private company owned by The Blackstone Group, One
Equity Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures and Travelport management.
(1) "Kestrel" is G2 SwitchWorks' internal name for a next-generation
point of sale application framework.
SOURCE Travelport
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Related links:
http://www.travelportgds.com
CONTACT:
Jill Brenner of Travelport GDS,
+1-973-939-1325, jill.brenner@travelport.com
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