Japan Airlines gets Amadeus Altea, DataArt automates Triometric, and more

This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel SYSTEMS in tourism and hospitality for July 2014. Thursday 31 July 2014:Japan Airlines to implement Amadeus Altea solution

• The new agreement between the companies will enable JAL to implement Amadeus' Altéa Suite of IT solutions by replacing its existing passenger service system. This migration process will be supported by the local Amadeus Airline IT team based in Tokyo.

DataArt completes first phase of Triometric automation system

• The UK-based provider of the business analytics and performance monitoring for travel brands recruited DataArt to streamline a number of functions for customers. DataArt has integrated a real-time dashboard to give brands a "traffic light" alert system to monitor performance, availability and capacity indicators across their various systems.

Amadeus adds Alipay payment option

• To better serve the Chinese customer, Amadeus has added Alibaba's online payment service, Alipay, as a payment option in its Amadeus Payment Platform (APP).

Tuesday 22 July 2014:Dashbell gets Booking.com connection

• Integration for the cloud-based booking system for small accommodation providers will give users the ability to manage their reservations and inventory when distributing through the Priceline-owned Booking.com. The announcement comes three months after the addition of Patty de Castro as vice president of product to the US-based Dashbell and a stated 368% increase in bookings for customers over the same period.

Monday 21 July 2014:

TripBam links up with BCD Travel

• TripBam helps companies find and lock in cheaper rates after booking, using proprietary "cluster" technology that saves an average of $50 per night. This makes rate fluctuations visible and actionable to business travelers, and will now be available on a trial basis for BCD Travel clients. 

2C2P payment solution launches in Myanmar

• 2C2P, a Southeast Asian payment solutions provider, and Creative Web Studio, Myanmar-based online solutions provider, will together enable an integrated payment solutions in Myanmar, especially targeted towards Myanmar's travel and tourism industry. Travellers will be able to transact on merchants’ websites using most international credit and debit cards accepted by 2C2P’s payment gateway.

Sabre Hotel RFP solution - upgraded

• Sabre Hotel RFP, an online marketplace that helps corporate travel managers and travel agents to negotiate rates and amenities with hotels, has announced new features:

Travel and Transport renews partnership with Travelport

• Travelport has renewed its travel commerce platform agreement with Travel and Transport, a travel management company in the US. Following the renewal, Travel and Transport will be using Travelport's Smartpoint, Travelport e-Pricing, and Automated Exchanges and Refunds (ARNE) solutions.

Thursday 17 July 2014:Zooz closes $12 million investment round

• The payment engine provider, which covers multiple verticals and includes some travel agency customers, has attracted the round from lead investor Blumberg Capital, with participation from Access Industries and Camp One Ventures, as well as existing backers, XSeed Capital, Lool Ventures and Rhodium.

TrustYou develops multiple survey service for hotels

• The system will allow a property to send out surveys to guests during or after a stay, or targeting those using facilities such as spas or events. The idea behind the system is to ensure hotels can quickly react to or invest in services based on the opinion of guests.

eNett opens new UK office

• The joint venture between Travelport and PSP International will move into a new space in Paddington, London, following a doubling of its UK-based personnel over the course of the past six months.

ReviewPro signs with IDeaS

• The online review management service will work with IDeaS to develop a Reputation Pricing engine for hotels, combining data from its existing revenue management system to create a visualisation of market position for rate and reputation within a property.

Wednesday 16 July 2014:

CityJet selects Travelport and Res2 for departure control

• The Dublin-based European short haul carrier will use the iPort system to handle web and kiosk check-in and ancillary sales as well as boarding, aircraft load control and flight messaging. The announcement follows recent moves by CityJet to distribution content through Travelport to travel agencies.

Sabre brings in new APAC airline boss

• Dasha Kuksenko will become vice president of airline solutions for Asia-Pacific after spending the past eight years in a variety of roles at Sabre covering sales and strategy. She previously worked for Oracle and Emirates.

Amadeus signs technology agreement with Aviasales

• The metasearch brand will use the Amadeus Meta Pricer system as part of the agreement to get airline fares and availability. Aviasales claims to be handling around 400,000 search queries per day.

Tuesday, 1 July 2014 Japan Airlines (JAL) launches in-flight internet

• JAL in-flight WiFi service will be available on select domestic routes from July 23, 2014. This service will be expanded to 77 domestic aircraft through FY2016. While the in-flight entertainment access (video, sports, gourmet, music, etc) via WiFi will be free of charge, internet access will be charged at JPY 400 for half an hour.

IDeaS launches reputation-based pricing module

• The revenue management company's new Reputation Pricing module provides hoteliers in Asia with pricing recommendations that takes hotels online reputation into account. This solution has been developed in partnership with Brand Karma and Review Pro. Loews Hotels and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are the charter clients for this solution.

NB: Send links or releases for travel devices direct to Tnooz via email. NB2: Travel systems image via Shutterstock.