TDS Europe 2006 special: By EyeforTravel CorrespondentThe Travel Distribution Platform, which is currently being launched by Datalex, represents a major development for the company and is a response to emerging dynamics of travel distribution.

Published: 01 Jun 2006

TDS Europe 2006 special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

The Travel Distribution Platform, which is currently being launched by Datalex, represents a major development for the company and is a response to emerging dynamics of travel distribution.

“TDP enables travel suppliers and distributors to assemble a broad range of complex travel inventories and destination content for online consumer, call center and trade distribution. It extends the scope for these organizations to offer dynamic, multi-component travel packaging and enable integration and ease of interoperability with Central Reservations Systems and other enterprise systems,” Cormac Whelan, chief executive officer, Datalex told EyeforTravel.com’s Ritesh Gupta.

On major trends, Whelan says the traditional supply chain model of supplier-wholesaler-retailer-consumer continues to converge as all parts of the value chain embrace new e-retail/wholesale models.

“A new paradigm is evolving in which travel supplier; retailer and wholesalers are strengthening their positions in leisure travel through a focus on dynamic packaging online. To embrace this new distribution paradigm, the travel distributor must consider efficiencies of dynamic procurement and pricing, dynamic business process optimization and dynamic channel presentation. The Datalex Travel Distribution Platform is a response to this imperative,” says Whelan.

Whelan adds, “For Airlines suppliers, oopportunities are emerging for more direct distribution to consumer and trade channels Reliance on single channel GDS distribution is eroding and emergent GDSs alternatives are evolving more cost effective `broker’ models. Technology advancements ideally position the airline to control all distribution, direct and indirect. To embrace this new distribution paradigm, an airline must consider the imperative of distribution control across all of its market channels. Evolving technology standards and solutions such as the Travel Distribution Platform are a critical response to this imperative.”

On major challenges, Whelan shared that for the company, which supports millions of online transactions each day for some of the world’s largest travel industry suppliers and distributors, it has served travel distributors with innovative technology solutions for over 20 years. “Our major challenge will be to continue to deliver solution to our customers who set the direction and pace of technology development for the marketplace.”