GetThere, the online corporate travel booking tool, has signed an agreement with Oracle to provide online booking services to the world’s largest enterprise software company. GetThere’s booking engine processed US$6.3 billion of corporate travel in 2005. Oracle anticipates GetThere’s rollout, initially to US-based travellers, to begin in September.

Oracle’s commitment to developing online technologies and services for its client base led the company to be a pioneer in managed online travel in the 1990s. With a high-adoption culture already in place, Oracle sought to select a technology provider with the stability and expertise to continue enhancing the booking system, along with the resources to support Oracle’s ongoing consolidation of its global travel programme.

GetThere is used today in 80 nations, in eight languages, with support personnel on the ground in 15 countries.

“Oracle’s selection of GetThere marks a win that is both significant and symbolic,” said Beverly Heinritz, GetThere’s general manager. “Oracle’s travel department has unparalleled experience in making online travel programs work. Their decision to work with us on their global consolidation initiative is a compliment to the teams of developers and service staff that have made GetThere the world-class product it is today. That foundation will serve us well as we help Oracle build a best-in-class travel model that works worldwide.”