TTM Rolls Out Extranet Solution

<B> TTM Rolls Out Extranet Solution</B>

By Sarah Welt

<I>Troy, Mich.</I> - Total Travel Management Inc. is implementing a new version of its proprietary automated booking system, Co-PilotII, at its first major account, the $2 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, in the next 45 days. Ninety days later, the $4 million Canton, Mich.-based Yazaki North America Inc. also will come on board.

According to Total Travel's president Linda Garback, CoPilot II is a two-level password-protected extranet solution, where the agency maintains the server. Garback said the system interfaces with WorldSpan and "res finishing is queued to a res agent for ticket distribution and delivery." While no transaction fees will be charged, installation fees will vary from client to client, depending on the amount of necessary telecommunication lines,Garback said. Blue Cross will be paying approximately $3,000.

Separately, Total Travel is launching a minority enterprise in Miami called D-G Travel Associates. The company filed papers and is awaiting approval to move forward with the initiative, which likely will happen in the next 45 to 60 days.

The new company has four accounts totalling about $3 million in annual volume, and plans to reach a total volume of $10 million by the end of 1998.