Technology Company CKNet Internet Services (PTY) Ltd has released the second version of its management information system, QuickMIS, to the travel industry.
Since its launch almost two years ago as a local alternative to expensive imported information management software, the internet-based product has been enhanced with additional functionality.
CKNet IT project manager Sasha Neate elaborates that version two of QuickMIS has received an upgrade to its reporting facility, along with introducing several new reports and innovations aimed at enhancing an agency`s information management.
She explains that CKNet upgraded to version two primarily to take advantage of the release of version 9 of Crystal Reports, the integrated reporting package that processes and displays QuickMIS`s travel related reports.
One of the main features of Crystal 9 is the introduction of a new viewing configuration, and the ability to display reports in the commonly used HTML format. This enables users to view reports from any browser without having to download additional viewer software.
This requirement proved problematic in the past when downloads of the required `ActiveX` software plug in was interrupted, rendering agencies unable to view their reports.
She adds that the Crystal 9 additionally offers greater user-friendly functionality, such as the ability to divide lengthy reports into smaller segments, thereby creating summaries of overall reports.
Sasha asserts that the product is applicable to both corporate travel agencies, who wish to retrieve management-related data as well as those desiring to monitor the agency`s performance and preferred supplier information.
She points out one of the advantages of developing QuickMIS as an online tool, is that agencies can retrieve their information from any internet-connected computer at their leisure.
Agents are assigned a user name and password, and travel agency managers can determine the level of accessibility granted to each travel agent.
The QuickMIS product essentially offers travel agencies three different sets of reports in order to effectively improve the management of their business: Agency reports enable travel agencies to quantify their expenditure and determine their most valuable accounts; client reports assist companies in monitoring their travel expenditure on a monthly basis; consultant reports enable travel agency managers to ascertain which are its most popular suppliers. In addition, version 2 of QuickMIS adds generic supplier reports, which would assist agencies in managing preferred supplier agreements. It furthermore adds a travel expenditure by passenger report, enabling corporate travel agencies to view its travel-related expenditure and the details of each passenger.
According to Sasha, employing a management information system is essential to travel agencies wishing to save time in exporting and managing their data with the use of Microsoft Excel or an alternative spreadsheet program.
"At the click of a few buttons, agencies can simply generate an extensive report showing its suppliers, invoice numbers, ticket numbers and passenger names, as well as producing a copy invoice online," she states.
Sasha points out that, in recognition of the high costs associated with technology development, particularly for smaller agencies, the company has pursued a monthly rental route.
The product, which was developed in a joint venture with Quick Software, is accessed through the password-protected site www.quicktravmis.co.za.
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CKNet is an internet software developer and solution provider, an Internet Service Provider, and multimedia and 3D animation design and development provider. . CKNet is a Microsoft Certified Partner for Microsoft Solutions with offices in South Africa. Companies successfully using CKNet`s products include Anglo American Travel, Siemens, British Airways (SA, Africa, Far East, Middle East), Comair, Qantas Air (Singapore), South African Travel Centre (SA and Africa), Etravel, Ceta, 3M, Senofi Aventis, Piggs Peak, First Rand Group, Nedcor, American Express Travel, Card and Foreign Exchange, African Bank, Butterworths, SABS, Seekers Travel, Barry Ronge, Freitan (Tesuco), John and Kernick, Bowman Gillfillan, ACNielsen, and many more.
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