TRX To Bolster Corp. Bookings In New AlignmentTRX Inc. is narrowing its focus, in part, to put more juice behind the Technology Services unit that runs its corporate booking business. "We'd love to bring you up to speed on the moves we're making organizationally and product-wise, but it's a little too soon to put that into the public forum," said David Fromal, TRX executive vice president of strategic development and corporate communications, late last month. "We'll give you an update in 60 days." He said the company would be "aligning assets" in accordance with its focus on core businesses. TRX's other major business lines handle data and fulfillment services, respectively. Meanwhile, TRX's new ResX corporate booking platform for travelers—with such features not touted in the current ResAssist product as supplier-direct bookings, Web fare access and Super PNR functionality—now is in beta tests in advance of a winter launch. A travel agent edition will follow. "There will be no forced conversion of present ResAssist users to ResX," according to the company's Web site. "TRX is developing a detailed conversion program to address the needs of distributors, administrators and travelers. We will be able to convert automatically some transition items, such as profile information. However, other items, such as familiarization training for new features, will require some investment of time and resources." The company also "will convert companies that sign up for ResAssist between now and the launch of ResX Traveler edition this winter free of charge. New clients will pay implementation and transaction fees to use the ResX system."
Outtask Sees 200 Booking Clients By 2003Cliqbook, the corporate booking tool known initially for its Web fare capabilities, will enter 2003 with nearly 200 clients, said Outtask Inc. president and CEO Tom DePasquale. The product now has about 70 clients beyond beta testing with another 100 on the way, he said. Outtask is planning a European edition with local languages and support for the Amadeus GDS, which DePasquale said should help triple Cliqbook's client base "in year two." The company also is focused on developing full support for itinerary changes
(see story), including voice recognition capabilities. DePasquale said Cliqbook's momentum—its transaction counts double every six weeks—also is carrying over to its Vinnet expense management product, which one-third of Cliqbook clients buy. "Their fees are reasonable, and they make it almost impossible to say no," said Shelia Kittle, corporate travel manager for Raymond James Financial in St. Petersburg, Fla., who is seeking to roll out Cliqbook later this month. "It's a great user interface, and they've got Web fares—it's slick." Costs also were a major factor for Christine Bollman, corporate travel manager at West Kingston, R.I.-based American Power Conversion, which is rolling out this month: "Technology is changing so fast that I'm not willing to put too much money into a system."