Suddenly, it's all about the travel agency desktop.
Amadeus and BCD Travel signed a letter of intent to use the Amadeus One travel agency desktop as the basis for designing an agent automation and workflow solution for the travel management company's fulfillment and after-hours operations in North America, the companies say.
Louise Miller, BCD Travel's executive vice president of global business solutions, sales and marketing, says the partnership with Amadeus will help BCD enhance automation and improve customer service.
The Amadeus-BCD Travel partnership follows by days the introduction of Sabre's new Red Workspace desktop.
Both desktops claim to streamline agents' operations and to smooth the workflow.
Meanwhile, Travelport continues to develop its Universal Desktop, with its XML APIs, and Farelogix features its SPRK platform for direct bookings.
The focus on agency desktops occurs as the industry grapples with the advent of ancillary services and the global distribution systems continue their pitched battle in North America for market share.