It is no secret that just about every industry has been focusing more resources on e-commerce solutions as more people rely on the internet for just about everything. However many travel companies have had their own, unique challenges developing and enhancing their flight reservation system. Some are still using solutions built with legacy technology and are unable to easily add new content or make simple changes to their User Interface. The architecture used by these legacy systems is not at all as advanced or flexible as that of today’s distributed and layered applications. Many legacy systems hardcode business policies using inflexible, predefined process flows. This makes any integration with customer relationship management systems and Internet-based business applications difficult and sometimes simply impossible. And if falling behind from a technical standpoint isn’t bad enough, it has become increasingly difficult for companies to find developers who want to maintain applications written in languages that are not widely used in today’s technology.
The internet revolution is usually a key driving force behind a company’s decision to switch away from a legacy system. E-commerce sales can save a business time and money making it the most cost effective method for many to deliver products to customers. The “state of the art” technology available today can help a software solution provider design and develop a flight reservation system that is flexible & fully scalable. Some can even provide the ability to customize the application to maintain a company’s own unique brand identity.
Experience has shown that some of the best software solutions are the result of collaboration. Software Developers, Suppliers and Users can all provide valuable input to help design and develop the ultimate travel booking engine. Each of these entities play an important role in the process and any flight reservation system should meet each of their individual needs. To serve today’s growing number of consumers who use their mobile device to purchase travel products as well as those that switch between devices during the research and booking process, many companies are building applications that use responsive technology. Now, regardless of the type of device a customer uses to access a website, online applications built using responsive technology can automatically adjust the screen layout based on the type of device being used. And for those looking to have a dedicated Mobile App, there are several companies designing and developing custom mobile Apps. Some offer mobile applications as an optional “add-on” to an existing Booking Engine while others develop the Apps independently. Either approach can provide the online consumer the ease and mobility of using their smartphone or tablet. Mobile technology is not just for big brand names either.
Travel technology companies can now provide any size travel agency affordable applications built on the latest technology with the powerful tools to they need to compete with any size travel business. Finding a flight reservation system with the right combination of options for your travel business can be a critical decision. Finding a technology partner that will help you reach today’s mobile consumer where and how they shop for travel can be just as important.
Martin Wynn
