SINGAPORE - Abacus International wants to migrate all its travel agent subscribers onto an Internet platform in three years’ time.
“We have a three-year plan to migrate everyone to the Internet platform. We will focus on making them see the benefits of it,” said Kenneth Low, vice president, head of marketing at Abacus International.
Having agents use the Internet protocol would mean eliminating the need to install specific connection and booking software onto separate computer terminals. It also gives travel agents 24/7 access to all these functions, anywhere there is Internet access.
A major part of this plan involves the GDS’ Abacus Space solution, an all-in-one Internet portal that gives agents access to all the key Abacus systems and functions.
Today, Abacus announced the latest version of Abacus Space, with added features since the first launch of the solution two years ago to a select group of agents.
“Based on the feedback from our current users, we have developed an enhanced version of Abacus Space,” said Leong Sow Fung, Abacus International’s director of agency solutions marketing.
The new Abacus Space offers more content such as Abacus HotelSmart which provides agents with hotel inventory and competitive rate information, and new features like customisable itinerary delivery mode options, icon bars and time-out sessions.
There is also an enhanced web-based graphical user interface, based on existing solutions like AbacusWhiz. Through Abacus Space, agents can also have access to online tutorials and other training systems.
Abacus will continue to develop Abacus Space, and within the next three to six months plans to roll out more non-air booking functionalities.