Amadeus, the world's leading travel distribution system and technology provider, today introduced its Wireless Travel Management (WTM) solution which enables customers to check flight availability and book or cancel flights from a mobile device.
The service has begun with the Scandinavian regional carrier Wider0e and will be expanded to other regions in the future.
WTM uses Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology for mobile phones, which is powering mobile commerce worldwide. Using the WAP standard, WTM gives all of Wider0e's customers a fast, simple and convenient way to check flight availability and book or cancel flights with over 500 airlines around the globe from a mobile device. Using the WAP standard ensures that the service is both device and network independent, enabling access from any WAP-enabled handheld wireless equipment, such as the Nokia 7110 phone, Ericsson's MC218 handheld organizer and Ericsson's upcoming R380 phone organizer.
Unlike other systems, WTM allows travelers to choose from multiple carriers (other airline web and WAP sites restrict users to their own flights only). Passengers can make reservations for any flights leaving between 2 hours and 12 months from the moment they access the service. The booking process is takes around 2 minutes, as travelers can choose to store their profile in the site which will automatically incorporate information such as the traveler's name, frequent flyer data, payment preferences, seating and meal requirements. After a booking has been made, it can be called up and cancelled if necessary.
Wider0e passengers can also receive real-time updates about flight departure and arrival times. This feature will become available for other airlines within months, with the next market release of WTM, scheduled for summer 2000. Other new features will include re-book capability, automatic compliance with corporate travel policy and negotiated fares, and car and hotel bookings - making WTM the complete mobile travel management solution.
In November 1999 Amadeus, Ericsson and Smart (Amadeus' Scandinavian and Baltic distribution partner) set up a joint Competence Center, located in Stockholm, Sweden, to develop and market WTM. Amadeus is providing its powerful travel reservation engine - the world's largest dynamic database of travel service providers - with over 500 airlines, 51,000 hotels and 48 car rental companies, and its expertise in advanced technological solutions for e-commerce.
Ericsson, a pioneer of WAP, wireless connectivity and mobile Internet initiatives, brings its devices, technological and telecommunications market know-how to WTM. Smart is one of the most prominent players in Scandinavia's vibrant mobile Internet marketplace and contributes its experience of applying new Internet and mobile technology to the travel business.
Philippe Chereque, Amadeus SVP Corporate Strategy, said, "WTM represents a real advance for today's connected traveler. Together with Smart and Ericsson we have produced a consumer-friendly application in record time which is the first of its kind available to the general public. WTM is a cornerstone in Amadeus' strategy to bring the power of its travel database to the consumer."
"And this is just the beginning. Fast advancing wireless technology, such as GPRS (general packet radio service) and 3G (third generation) mobile, will enable more exciting mobile applications. Over the coming months you will see Amadeus develop and roll out new features and services to bring even more convenience, speed, and ease of use to the mobile professional."
"Wider0e is continuously seeking to make it easier and faster for our customers to benefit from the wide range of travel products at our website," declared Per Arne Watle, CEO of Wider0e. "The launch of WTM solution confirms our ambition of being in the forefront, together with our partners, in developing and utilizing the latest mobile technology."
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