What is
?
OpenDistribution is an XML based API that provides access to a number of travel systems around the world. The Travelisense partner network consists of providers that specialize in Air, Hotel, Car, Insurance, Show time tickets and other travel related products. Using OpenDistribution our customers can access the content of these systems through a single API rather than having to integrate each API seperately.
Who can use OpenDistribution?
OpenDistribution can be used by anyone that wants to sell travel related products. Are you a ski resort and want to bundle air and hotel products with lift tickets and condominium rentals? Are you a small hotel looking to sell rooms along with packaged air? Your solution is OpenDistribution. We can cater to any client that would like to add value to their existing offering and at the same time create another source of revenue.
Since the leg work has been completed with connections to some of the industries top suppliers, OpenDistribution allows customers to focus on whats important and that is generating sales and increasing revenue.
How does OpenDistribution work?
Utilizing the most innovative technology in the marketplace today, OpenDistribution is directly integrated to our network of partners.
When a request is sent to our exchange it is converted to a native provider request and sent along a connectivity channel to the supplier. If the request is successful a native supplier response is recieved which is then converted to a native CTF response. During this process all uneccesarry information, duplicates and bad content is filtered out. The product is a refined message, fat free and ready to be used.
Some providers require that numerous messages be sent before you receive the content you are after, OpenDistribution takes care of all the additional messages. As far as your development goes, there will never be more than one message to send for a specific function. OpenDistribution handles the connection to each provider system using your configured preferences at all times. Preferences can be changed on the fly and most are effective immediately.
Without having to worry about a specific travel system workflow, OpenDistribution empowers customers to do what matters most which is maintaining a clear and concise focus on generating revenue. Since we handle all the maintainence of the provider connections most customers will see a decrease in technology maintainence costs and an increase in productivity in the area of sales, marketing and business analysis.
Why re-invent the wheel when we have done all the leg work? OpenDistribution enables customers to source the very best content from top suppliers at the click of a button, and we are constantly working to make it even easier.
Features and Facts
- OpenDistribution Travel API is built using Microsoft .NET 3.5.
- SQL Server 2008 is used ensuring security, reliability and performance.
- Our refined XML schemas are developer friendly.
- OpenDistribution is highly configurable.
- Set business logic to search only specific providers based on criteria.
- Each additional partner added to the network requires NO integration.
- Web service driven shopping cart for fast checkout.
- ClearContent integration with hotel partners to override property information returned from providers with custom hotel content.
- 3 step booking flow, search and select, add to cart with traveler information and finally checkout.
Why choose OpenDistribution?
Common Travel Framework based data structures saves time and money.
The OpenDistribution system was designed around the CTF (Common Travel Framework) a proprietary framework that was built to be rid of complex travel
jargon and legacy data structures that only waste time and money. The common travel framework provides access to common elements that are used for
each segment type offered through the Travelisense network. By consolidating each native language of our provider systems into a clear and transparent
data format, the need for experienced travel technology developers becomes obsolete.
Unparralled configurability saves the time wasted waiting for a support team to make the change for you.
One of the underpinning foundations of the OpenDistribution system is it's ability to be configured. Whether it is the native provider message
that needs to be manipulated or the CTF response itself, it is all achievable using OpenDistributions configuration core. Tasks such as setting the maximum
number of provider search results to be return or the default currency to be returned from each provider can be accomplished in minutes.
GDS connectivity
OpenDistribution currently connects to Amadeus and Sabre for GDS connectivity. Shortly, we will be undertaking the integration of
TravelPort and Abacus. With our broad network of partners our customers tend to find a great combination of both GDS and non-GDS inventory to work with.
If there is a particular supplier of travel content we do not existingly work with we are always willing to evaluate whether entry into the network
would benefit our customers.
Non-GDS connectivity
Over the past 3 years there has been steady growth from non-GDS based suppliers emerging with great negotiated rates and content to furthermore
diversify the traditional product offering that has been seen for years. Companies like HotelBeds and RoomBanx provide additional unique selling
points with properties that may not necessarily be listed in any other system. OpenDistribution provides connectivity to partners around the globe that
have unique product offerings and great rates.
Provider and credential management
Unlike other solutions in the market place today OpenDistribution allows for the entry and configuration of provider credentials through our
administration system. Some company's may have numerous credentials for different purposes. seemlesly switch been credentials at any given time.
The days of creating support tasks for functionality that should be at the users fingertips are over. We have even taken it one step further
by allowing our users to configure end points to provider systems. At the click of a button an entire reservation system can be switched from
a web service interface to a secure COM Proxy object for communication to providers.
