Agency Debuts Web-Based Trip Profile Updates

<B> Agency Debuts Web-Based Trip Profile Updates</B>

By Sarah Welt

<I>New York</I> - Direct Travel Inc. last month launched a new product that enables travelers and travel arrangers to edit travel profiles via a Web browser.

Users of Online Profile Manager go to a specified, password-protected URL address. The system is connected to the computer reservation system and provides travelers and travel arrangers with real time updates, said Direct's marketing and technology executive vice president Michael Steiner, "so if an agent makes modifications to the CRS, the traveler immediately sees the modification, and vice versa."

Steiner added that the system converts CRS profile terminology "really geared to the travel agency community" into easy to understandable language.

A $200 million air-volume agency, Direct Travel currently has five clients, and a total of 300 users, working with Online Profile Manager. The company plans to implement another 1,000 users in the next 60 days. Other travel agencies will be able to purchase the stand-alone software by July, Steiner said.

To use the system, agencies need a workstation, access to a Web server and SQL server software. Direct Travel will provide installation, training, maintenance, support and graphics placement, "so they can put in their logos," Steiner said. He declined to comment on the cost of the system, though he did say it is a one-time fee, possibly with additional charges down the road for updates to the system.