Outtask Launches Voice-Enabled Res, Expense
Outtask Inc., purveyor of the Cliqbook self-service reservations tool that just added DaimlerChrysler to its client list and Northwestern Travel Management as a distributor, this month announced voice-activated travel and expense automation for Cliqbook and its Vinnet expense management tool. Developed with speech solution provider McLean, Va.-based Angel.com, the service offers users itineraries, bookings and expense report submission and approval from any telephone, Alexandria, Va.-based Outtask said. Callers speak responses instead of pressing keys.
"Voice-enabling applications means any employee with a phone or cell phone can contribute to lowering costs, while improving their own productivity," said Tom DePasquale, president and CEO of Outtask, in a press statement. "Unlike first-generation key pad technology, the learning curve is nonexistent and the savings in user time and company savings are immediate." Others, including American Express, are testing voice applications.
Orbitz For Biz, Pegasus Partner For Hotel Discounts
Orbitz for Business this month partnered with Pegasus Solutions' Utell to deliver clients independent hotel discounts. "Orbitz has used its industry relationships to level the playing field for small and midsize companies," stated Rick Weber, vice president of Orbitz business travel services. Utell provides marketing services and reservation support for more than 4,400 independent hotels around the world.
Small and midsize companies often have been at a disadvantage because they were not eligible for the national or global account status conferred by the major, multi-brand hotel companies. Utell properties also tend to be smaller, which means buyers are able to draw deeper discounts when they can deliver even relatively modest room night volumes.
Worldspan Boosts Reporting, self-Booking
Travel Transaction Processing Corp.'s Worldspan this month said it would offer its agency and corporate subscribers the IBank Web-based data consolidation and reporting solution from Cornerstone Information Systems. Worldspan also announced online repricing of ticketed airline reservations for Trip Manager self-booking users.
Hi-Mark Restructures, Partners For Customer Relationships
Atlanta-based Hi-Mark Software created a new account management division, headed by COO Stan Sabel, and promoted to the vice president level its head of corporate sales and marketing Mike Griffin. Hi-Mark also hired Pam Martin to run its Europe/Middle East/Africa unit.
Meanwhile, the company allied with Atlanta-based CAS Americas' TravelWerx division in a joint marketing agreement that unites Hi-Mark's data consolidation tools with TravelWerx's customer relationship management capabilities.
New Tech On The Ground
Avis Rent A Car and Motorola last month announced they would roll out the Avis Assist phone-based navigation system to as many as 50 cities across the United States and Canada. The program offers a location-based navigation service using Motorola phones "that literally 'talks them through' directions to a destination, broadcasting street names and maneuvers along the way," said Avis in a press statement.
Elsewhere in ground transportation technology, Carey International this month said it partnered with In Motion Technology to introduce in-car wireless Internet connections on the Wi-Fi "hot spot" standard. "Business professionals riding in equipped Carey vehicles can use their own Wi-Fi-enabled notebook computers and personal digital assistants in exactly the same manner they are increasingly accustomed to at home, in the office, at the airport and hotels," the companies said. Initial trials will take place in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Booking Tool Provider Buys Web Fare Cos.
Nporta, provider of a burgeoning self-booking solution backed by the Worldspan global distribution system, this month said it acquired the customers and assets of Web fare aggregators Farequest and Advanced Travel Solutions to combine Web fare and GDS searches. Nporta said Farequest has more than 200 agency customers. Its forthcoming Web fare product will continue to service the agent desktop, Nporta said, but a consumer version will launch in two to three months.