From this November, Abacus-connected travel agents will have even greater access to the most up-to-date airfare content available with a further upgrade to Abacus SmartPrice, the major airfare pricing system from Abacus International. The updated Abacus SmartPrice will enhance the workflow experience of Abacus-connected agents with improved functionality for non-PNR pricing and more accurate and robust fare and tax information.

The changes will also provide travel agents greater access to historical pricing data, now reaching back two years, as well as displaying tax information in a standardised display, making tax inclusions more user-friendly and easier to understand. This upgrade translates to higher productivity, improved accuracy, more efficiency and faster speed for Abacus-connected
agents.

Mr Brett Henry, Vice President of Agency Marketing, Abacus International, explains that the upgrade to Abacus SmartPrice, along with Abacus FareX, is part of Abacus’ commitment to developing point-of-sale solutions that work in an integrated manner to increase agency efficiency and find consumers the best offers. "With the current volatility in the travel industry, having access to the full fare ‘picture’ including pricing history as well as the broadest selection of current offerings, will provide agents with the edge to not only service their clients quickly and efficiently, but to be sure they are sourcing the best available fares without hesitation," says Mr Henry.

Mr Henry says the current upgrade follows closely the real-time, point-of-sale updates for negotiated fares that were included in the recently enhanced Abacus Whiz. For travel agents in The Republic of Korea, the latest upgrade brings the added benefit of the inclusion of the Net Remit Scheme (3E). This solution automatically prices and tickets each fare, ensuring agents can meet the airlines’ net ticketing and reporting requirements in that market.

This latest round of changes to Abacus SmartPrice follows an upgrade released in July this year that takes advantage of a new fares updating schedule from airline fare vendor ATPCO that includes three additional updates of airfare and rule data per day. The upgrade to Abacus SmartPrice, along with a comprehensive training session, will be available from 18 November 2008.