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The benefits of online services and their comparatively low costs are forcing travel service providers to look towards the internet as a means of achieving their goals. A good measure of imaginative and conceptual thinking on the part of IT solutions providers is required to help companies offering travel services to carve a niche for themselves. Icreon helps build comprehensive and robust web enabled solutions that are customized to the needs of individual customers; turnkey solutions for travel agencies and intermediaries, airlines, hotels and transportation companies. Our tailor-made solutions help travel companies in reducing operational costs, increasing operational efficiency and build long lasting relationships with customers. |
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Over the last few years the travel industry has grown in leaps and bounds and there is an increased amount of competition among travel service providers to expand their customer base and areas of operation and service. In order to provide better services and to attract more customers travel companies are opting for online solutions to help them meet their requirements and stay ahead of the competition. The advancements in technology have made it possible for travel companies to provide a host of services online, ranging from hotel reservations to airline booking to car rentals to booking of holiday packages, in a cost effective and efficient manner thereby making it easier for travelers to plan their travel as well as resulting in increased profits for travel companies. The internet allows for smart and proactive suppliers such as airlines, hotels, and travel agents etc to forge partnerships thereby enabling them to connect with and provide enhanced and value added services to their customers. The need for an online presence is further compounded by an increasing number of travelers adopting the internet as a means of transacting. |
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SOLUTION AREAS |
At Icreon, we have worked with both large and medium scale companies and have used our understanding and knowledge of the travel domain to develop solutions that help companies sell smartly and more economically. Our understanding and knowledge of the travel domain has enabled travel service providers to meet traveler’s requirements through the development of end to end customized travel web solutions including portals, online reservation systems etc |
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Online Reservation Systems
More than 50% of the revenue earned by the online travel industry comes from online bookings and reservations. As more travelers are opting to make hotel, flight and car rentals bookings online, from the convenience of their homes, it becomes imperative for travel companies to offer online booking services, in addition to their offline services, in order to survive the cut throat competition. At Icreon, we offer travel companies online reservation solutions which enable them to offer travelers the luxury of browsing through details of hotels, airlines and automobile rental companies and make online reservations for the same. Depending on the requirements, the travel management software solutions can be developed by integrating various Global Distribution Systems or by developing and customizing Local Distribution Systems. |
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Integration of Global Distribution Systems
Global Distribution Systems provide access to real-time availability and price information for flights, hotels and car rentals. Global Distribution Systems connect to databases of various airlines, hotels etc to provide a single framework for accessing information about the same. Some of the major Global Distribution Systems include Amadeus, Galileo and Sabre. These GDS’ can be integrated with solutions to enable travel companies to easily manage flight, hotel and car rental bookings and reservations.
The various aspects of a Global Distribution
System are as follows:
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Flight Booking: Real time information on availability of flights, ticket rates etc. A real time ticketing module enables the booking and printing of airline tickets. |
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Car Rentals: Provides details about various about car rental service providers. Also provides real time updates, data management and information tracking. |
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Hotel Reservations: Provides real time information about hotel availability and tariffs. The solution enables travel companies provide seamless connectivity between hotels and travelers. |
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| Icreon’s skills with integrating Global Distribution Systems in software solutions have made us one of the leading providers of travel web solutins in India. Global Distribution Systems can be implemented and integrated with the solution to enable travel companies to manage networks of travel service providers, display real time information and synchronize operations throughout the network. These solutions result in increased revenues for travel companies and enable them to offer enhanced services to their customers. |
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Development of Local Distribution Systems
In cases where the integration of a Global Distribution System does not meet the requirements of the travel companies, a Local Distribution System (LDS) can be developed. Typically, a LDS is developed in cases where a travel company gets better or discounted rates from travel service providers such as airlines, hotels etc as compared to the rates available from the Global Distribution Systems. A travel agent booking software with an integrated Local Distribution System enables travel companies to create networks of regional or local travel service providers who may or may not be included in the GDS.
Local Distribution Systems are of two types:
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Co-Branded: In the co-branded local distribution system solutions, the services of GDS are incorporated together with a few customized services. |
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Customized: A completely customized solution from desktop software to marketing and management tools are developed. Most of its features are customized according to the specific requirements of travel companies. |
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LDS’ provide information about the availability status and tariffs of local hotels, motels, inns etc. Information on local tour operators, car rental companies are also made available through the LDS.
Icreon possesses the necessary skill and expertise to develop and assist travel companies in setting up a Local Distribution System. |
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Customized Travel Websites
Using our knowledge and experience in the travel industry, Icreon has the relevant experience to conceptualize and develop websites for tour operators, travel marketing companies, tourism authorities etc. The solutions range from simple websites to showcase hotels and other accommodation providers to websites for promoting travel companies to specialized websites offering online booking of tour or holiday packages. |
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Value Added Services
Additional features and modules that can be developed, customized and integrated with various solutions, enabling travel companies to provide value added service to their customers, include:
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Content Management System: Implementation of CMS adds flexibility and empowers the administrators of the solution to easily update and publish content on the website. |
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Currency Management: A currency converter can be integrated with the application to enable travelers to perform currency conversions and calculations. Includes facilities for travelers to select a currency for transacting. |
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Weather Indicators: Enables availability of real time information about climatic and weather conditions of any location at a particular point of time. |
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