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As part of an ongoing program of investment in technology, Travelport, one of the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) providers and IBM have announced a new software agreement designed to accelerate service for existing travel customers, open new markets and ultimately, expand travel options for consumers.
Under the multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement, IBM will provide Travelport with significant upgrades to the existing systems architecture and software infrastructure of its industry-leading technology platform. The new investment in IBM software is designed to allow Travelport to more than double the information it processes to customers in 160 countries, including thousands of travel agencies, hotels and the leading car rental companies, cruise and tour operators and major rail networks.
Continued modernization of its technology environment is an integral part of Travelport’s strategy to support business growth while delivering the most efficient next generation travel transaction processing system to its customers. This will expand the options open to consumers as Travelport will be able to facilitate broader travel and travel related content search, aggregation and integration from multiple sources in addition to the content traditionally stored within the GDS.
“The changing needs of the travel industry for broader, deeper, faster content aggregation, search and integration mean that the GDSs have to continually upgrade not only their hardware infrastructure but also the key operating software and supporting systems architecture that facilitate the offer of informed choice for the ultimate consumer of travel products” said Gordon Wilson, President and CEO of Travelport GDS and Airline IT Solutions. “In making this selection, Travelport is confident not only that we will have a software and systems architecture sitting behind the experience our users enjoy which is capable of scale and managing future diversity of travel content supply but also a partnership with IBM to work together in several innovative new services in the future for our customers designed to support our business growth.”
"Today’s announcement represents a strategic expansion of our strong relationship with Travelport, as the travel industry increasingly hinges on the ability to process, manage, analyze and mine data," said Steve Mills, Senior Vice President and Group Executive, IBM Software Group. “Travelport’s commitment to open systems that improve flexibility and speed to market, combined with IBM middleware will facilitate the integration of new technologies, reducing costs and providing one of the most stable and secure technology environments available in the travel industry.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
