Unisys Corporation today announced that it has received a $3 million contract from Asiana Airlines and ABACUS International to design and implement a Web-based travel reservations system to better serve the needs of travel agents in the Korean marketplace. The new system will provide Korean travel agents with seamless Web connectivity to the reservations systems of Asiana, one of Korea`s premier airlines, and ABACUS, the Asia-Pacific`s largest Global Distribution System (GDS).
By allowing transparent access to both systems using one common set of entries and standard displays, this Unisys e-@ction Solution will improve travel agent productivity and eliminate the need to access separate systems.
Asiana Airlines has embarked on an ambitious expansion program into international markets, leveraging advances in information technology to support its growth. With this Unisys solution, Asiana will manage the whole process of booking and ticketing services through the Internet to immediately deliver information on both domestic and international reservations to travel agents across Korea.
According to CB Park, CIO of Asiana, "The main reasons for choosing Unisys as our business partner are the company`s worldwide reputation as the top-notch information technology provider in the air transportation industry, and the harmony between Unisys e-business strategy and our future business plans."
ABACUS President & CEO, William Liu, said: "ABACUS is always committed to helping our partners and customers harness technology to better grow their businesses. This new relationship with Asiana and Unisys is set to be a win-win proposition for all three parties, our customers and their customers." *
Unisys Solution Streamlines Access to Critical Information
Currently, Korean travel agents use dual-screen terminals that require agents to switch screens between Asiana`s reservations system, used mainly for domestic itineraries, and the ABACUS GDS, used mainly for international itineraries. Each host system has its own set of unique products, processes, display formats and functional entries. Users must always remember which functions and displays are available in the system they are using.
With the help of the Unisys solution, Korean travel agents will use only one common set of entries and standard displays when making Asiana reservations. The system will decide which host computer will process the information. A front-end processor will provide access to the complete range of products and information from the two systems, eliminating the need for agents to decide which system to use and which functions to enter.
"The Asiana-ABACUS contract represents not only two new accounts, but also our first major transportation solution for delivery into South Korea," said Peter von Moltke, vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific, Unisys Global Transportation. "Unisys won this business after completing an extensive requirements study that fully tested our domain expertise and e-business capabilities, which served as our key differentiators. This significant, strategic win will enhance Unisys status as a premier provider of transportation solutions and open additional business opportunities for us throughout Asia."
The Unisys solution uses BEA Systems Inc.`s Tuxedo middleware platform linked to Java technology-based clients. This platform will support the new business processes and the host interfaces to various back-end legacy systems. The contract was signed December 1999, design work has begun and a phased implementation is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2001.
Share
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines was established in February 1988 as South Korea`s second airline. Owned by the Kumho Group -- one of Asia`s most influential corporations -- Asiana initiated domestic service in December 1988 from Seoul`s Kimpo Airport to Busan and Kwangju. Known as the "Jewel of Asia," the airline quickly established a solid presence within Korea, Asia and the United States aboard an all-new fleet of Boeing aircraft. From its inception, strict attention to service and safety began a tradition that carries forth to the present. Today, Asiana Airlines serves 50 cities in 13 countries, with 8,000 employees and a fleet of more than 50 aircraft.
ABACUS International
Singapore-based ABACUS International is the Asia-Pacific`s largest Global Distribution System and Computerized Reservations System. It provides travel information and reservations specially tailored for the Asia-Pacific. It is 65 percent owned by ABACUS International Holdings and 35 percent by Sabre. ABACUS International Holdings is jointly owned by All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines. Established in May 1988, ABACUS is the market leader in its airline partners` home markets and today has some 9,300 agency locations and more than 23,300 terminals in 19 countries. In addition to access to airline schedules and fares, cruise companies and other travel information, ABACUS provides access to more than 50 car rental companies and more than 50,000 hotel properties worldwide.
Unisys
Unisys is an electronic business solutions company whose 36,000 employees help customers in 100 countries apply information technology to seize opportunities and overcome challenges of the Internet economy. Unisys people integrate and deliver the solutions, services, platforms and network infrastructure required by business and government to transform their organizations for success in this new era. The company offers a rich portfolio of Unisys e-@ction Solutions for electronic business based on its expertise in vertical industry solutions, network services, outsourcing, systems integration and multivendor support, coupled with enterprise-class server and related technologies. The primary vertical markets Unisys serves worldwide include financial services, transportation, communications, publishing and commercial sectors, as well as the public sector, including federal government customers. Unisys is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, in the Greater Philadelphia area. For more information on the company, access the Unisys home page on the World Wide Web at www.unisys.com. Investor information can be found at www.unisys.com/investor