under the skin4

The infoRM product database covers a full range of services which may be reserved from inventory … Bed and breakfasts  Hotels   Apartments    Villas     Cottages Car Rental  Flights   Cruise ships    Ferries     Rail Skiing products  Theatre Tickets   Insurance    Brochure Requests     Gifts

The product database is tailored according to the needs of the organisation. Accommodation is held as Free-sale Sell and Report On request Allocation Full inventory Options exist for on-line links to other hotel inventory systems, automatic fax to individual properties etc. Comprehensive pricing allows for many options such as differing durations, party sizes, and special child and seniors' options. Where applicable, travel agent commission is also highly flexible. A facilities table, under client control, enables accommodation profiles to be constructed, and then used for searching purposes within the reservations program. Comprehensive descriptions and directions can be stored, for use by other modules.

Pricing

An extremely sophisticated and flexible pricing module allows the client to offer multiple price lists and outlet specific models to their principals (the product providers). Armed with this module the provider can operate his own products within the framework of the destination or marketing group to his best advantage.

Marketing

The world of tourism is increasingly turning to database marketing techniques to improve volume and profitability. The whole industry is moving towards direct customer communication, building client databases, telemarketing and building client relationships. infoRM recognises these trends and stores detail about clients, inquirers and travel agents. This includes contact history, brochure requests, booking enquiries and full booking history. The system supports affinity marketing needs, such as club membership. Comprehensive database marketing facilities are available such as flexible selections for direct mail, with PC mail merge facilities. Differing media choices include the production of labels and tapes for brochure despatch and mailing houses. Database marketing activity is automatically logged against a client's record.

Information

This database stores information for the use of potential and actual visitors, suppliers, and planners. It can contain information about both private and public sector services. This includes accommodation and restaurants, attractions, traffic and weather conditions, events, public transport and timetables museums, art galleries, weather, sporting activities and the like. Enquiries, by travellers, for specific information can be stored in the Marketing Database thus building the client profile. The information, held centrally, can be interrogated and presented in the call centre(s) and over the internet via browsers or XML.

Reservations

Key features are flexible and comprehensive searching - by requirements that include geography, activities and facilities, maximum price and specific promotion. Fast and easy to use. Enquirer's can quickly be checked against the existing marketing database to see whether they have previous history and to validate their post codes and addresses. The Reservations program has the facility to be linked to the Information Database. To a tourist board, for example, it is very useful to be able to use the potential client's information enquiry in making suggestions about suitable accommodation. The Reservations program offers maximum flexibility in combining different products. Different clients may have different itineraries but remain on one reservation. Reservations are easily amended or changed. Following the taking of a reservation, suppliers may be notified automatically of the booking via fax and email or they can log-in via the web and see their bookings and arrivals.

Client Documentation

This module offers the highest standards in Client Documentation - information tailored to the client's trip, clearly and concisely laid out. Documentation is produced automatically and presented in such a way as to be easily be mailed. Invoicing, ticketing and vouchers are produced to a professional standard, formatted to the clients requirements and presented via print/post, fax, e-mail or on a web page.

Accounting

Accounting consists of the provision of sales, purchase and general ledgers. The Sales Ledger, which is normally integrated, provides invoicing, accounts receivable and payment processing, including full credit card authorisation. Optionally, interfaces to existing purchase and general ledgers can be provided if needed. Links to banks and credit card processing services can also be provided to facilitate the collection of booking deposits and balances.

Management Reporting

Comprehensive management information is available and can be accessed via screens, reports, end-user-reporting tools or by downloading to PC spreadsheets or databases. This provides for the utmost flexibility in presentation and delivers key information wherever it is needed within the organisation. A scheduler ensures that reports and analysis are delivered to the relevant parties in a timely manner (when the information is most useful) automatically via e-mail.