Software developer Nu-com Systems, a recent acquisition of Computer Configurations Holdings, has beaten international software houses to clinch a R2,4 million deal with Saudi Arabian company Attar Travel. Nu-com has supplied a comprehensive package including the travel agency software, Travel Office Process Systems (TOPS), for front- and back-office management.
Attar Travel, one of the largest travel agencies in Saudi Arabia, has a R1,25bn-a-year turnover in bookings. It has also contracted Nu-com to install TOPS at 30 branches, with 400 seats, throughout Saudi Arabia.
"Attar Travel has a major presence in the Middle East and needs industrial-strength applications," says Jose Vilares, MD of Nu-com.
Attar Travel chose TOPS over European and American competitors as it was the only solution that provided integrated financials, and was robust enough to provide multi-branch solutions and adapt to the Saudi Arabian infrastructure.
"We wanted proven, integrated, multi-branch software," says Azza Raslan, group finance director of Attar Travel.
A request for proposal (RFP) was compiled from the results of a functional analysis and strategic planning exercise and circulated internationally, says Raslan.
"When Nu-com responded to the RFP, they not only proposed the right software, they also offered the benefit of their extensive experience in working in countries which lack the technical resources for software implementation and training."
Raslan, in South Africa to oversee the training of her staff, says: "Our existing systems are 15 years old and have evolved in isolation at each branch. They are incompatible with each other so it is difficult to get an enterprise-wide view of the business. When downloading data to our general ledger, we have data integrity problems. This results in the risk of fraud as well as incomplete transaction records."
TOPS provides an integrated front-office system, consolidated with back-office software written specifically for the travel business. The back-office application covers extensive functionality, up to financials. The front-office software gives the travel consultant many options, including voucher issue, corporate profiles, electronic booking cards and Internet connectivity.
Vilares says: "Our software empowers travel consultants by placing all the functionality they need at their fingertips." Audit trails provide checks on daily transactions and management information reporting is integral.
"Computerisation of the travel industry in Saudi Arabia is unsophisticated," says Raslan. "We will be first to market with this software, giving us a strategic advantage. In addition, we will control the process, we can extract management reports and develop an accurate client database for marketing."
Vilares is planning further Internet enhancements. "The Internet will soon be established in Jeddah and Riyadh, allowing Attar Travel to use TOPS Internet functionality."
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