Air India implements Abacus SalesManager

India's national carrier, Air India, has implemented Abacus SalesManager Marketing Messages, an airline solution specially designed to streamline communication between airlines and travel agents.

Air India is implementing this in six markets across the Asia Pacific.

In the initial phase that began on 5 November 2003, Air India will offer this product in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. This will allow travel agencies in these markets to have direct access to the airline for booking travel for their customers.

Designed specially for airlines, Abacus Sales Manager Marketing Messages provides them and their affiliate hotel companies, car rental companies and other travel suppliers with the ability to communicate directly with travel agencies during the booking process. The direct and timely communication channel enables travel agents to help customers make the most cost-effective and intelligent travel purchase decisions in addition to helping boost the airlines' bookings at the same time.

"By using Abacus SalesManager Marketing Messages, we hope to market customised routes and tickets when a travel agent checks for flight availability. By doing so, we are able to influence the decision of the traveller at the time of shopping by highlighting specific promotional routes or fares. Abacus SalesManager will also be useful in selling distressed inventory," said Mrs. D. H. Khusrokhan, Deputy Commercial Director, Marketing, Air India.

"The intuitive programming function of Abacus SalesManager provide airlines with a competitive edge over other players in the market. With this powerful tool, airlines' marketing efforts are more targeted compared to email, fax or print media as they can customise their marketing messages according to a range of criteria. At the same time, we developed this tool to empower the travel agent to fulfil their customers' needs faster and better," said Mr. Rogelio Sarreal, Vice President and Head of Associate Sales at Abacus International Pte Ltd.