For
the first time accommodation providers can take full responsibility for
maintaining their own information held on Tourism Databases. This represents a
major step forward in selling accommodation with real time 'availability,' and
removes the time consuming task of perpetual maintenance by busy tourism staff.
The following two modules have been designed to give accommodation providers
(AP's) remote access to their own records. This places the emphasis of
maintaining information with the accommodation providers themselves.
AIM is a simple Database Management Tool specifically designed for use by
accommodation providers whilst taking advantage of current e-commerce technology
direct from their own computers. It includes facilities for 'off/on-line'
maintenance of 'Availability,' 'Room Rates,' 'Room Management,' and 'Special
Offer' information. The main purpose of the system is to deliver this
information electronically (e-mail) to central Tourism Databases.
This system has a major advantage over conventional 'on-line' systems in terms
of speed and practicality. Typically 'on-line' maintenance can take between 10
and 15 minutes to perform and provides no further benefits to the AP. In
contrast, the process of updating with AIM takes a matter of seconds. Activated
by a single click of the 'send' button the program connects, sends data, and
disconnects automatically.
The other advantage with AIM is that the program is a useful management
tool for AP's and has the potential to fulfil the role of a reservation system.
Using AIM 'Availability' information can be entered for any period; 'Room
Rates' can be set for individual rooms for any day or period; 'Room Types' and
'Descriptions' can also be defined. There are also facilities for setting
'Minimum Letting Periods' and 'Special Offers'. All of this information is
delivered 'automatically' to the Tourism Server and integrated seamlessly into
the TIM-DMS for use in fulfilling customer requests across the range of
DMS distribution channels, eg call centre, web, TIC.
As AIM uses standard e-mail protocols AP's are not limited to updating
information on one server only. For example, an AP may be a member of several
different organisations, all of which operate accommodation bookings systems. AIM
can be configured to update all simultaneously.
Modem Server -Touch Tone Updating:
Ideal for the smaller establishments without computers, this module provides
AP's with the ability to access their records using a standard 'touch-tone'
telephone. Similar to the NetServer the software can either reside on a
single tourism computer or network. The only requirement is a modem connection.
The program answers incoming telephone calls and prompts the caller for their
unique ID. Once entered the system responds with a greeting, normally
establishment name, and then proceeds to guide the caller through a simple menu
structure for updating both 'availability' and 'price' information. The caller
can also set both date and duration. The module operates across all
accommodation types, including 'self-catering' and 'caravan camping,' and can
update both current and advance information.
Both systems allow AP's to set 'Availability' and 'Pricing' information. The
main benefits of the NetServer are that it provides additional facilities for
'room management,' 'minimum let periods' and 'special offer' data.
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