I:FAO Releases Upgraded Cytric Booking Tool

Frankfurt-based corporate online booking and data consolidation provider I:FAO has begun the deployment of version 7 of its Cytric self-booking tool, an upgrade I:FAO termed "a new product that offers advanced integration, customization and administration capabilities." Included in the upgrade is the previously announced Reality interface, which weighs corporate, individual and schedule criteria to produce the optimal travel options, among other new features. Also, I:FAO said the enterprise edition of Cytric 7 "includes a specific I:FAO-hosted Web site, which makes up-to-the-minute transaction and operating data available to the customer," according to a press statement issued yesterday.

Later this quarter, I:FAO will add what it called "market fares server" technology to Cytric, allowing agencies and corporations to "load, manage and book all types of contract fares completely independent from GDS pricing," said the statement. Also in that timeframe, the PowerTrip self-booking tool for smaller businesses, recently acquired from Xtra On-Line, will link with Afro's Arctic server technology providing access to more than 700 airlines, 54,000 hotels and all leading car rental firms.