WizCom Unveils Comprehensive Electronic Global Distribution Strategy Supported by Strategic Alliances With IBM and Ensemble Solutions, Inc

Business Wire, May 12, 1999

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1999--

Strategy Will Give Hotel Customers Increased Control, Choice to

Design Distribution Strategy that Best Meets Their Needs

WizCom International, Ltd. ("WizCom"), a leading supplier of reservation and information management systems for the travel industry, introduced today a comprehensive global distribution strategy that will significantly broaden WizCom's suite of travel distribution products. As part of the strategy, WizCom will work with IBM and Ensemble Solutions, Inc. to jointly develop a WizCom distribution product that will bring together multiple distribution channels - including the Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), Internet, corporate intranets and other travel management databases - into one powerful management tool with an easily accessible, single-point-of-entry.

The innovative WizCom product will give maximum control and choice to hotel customers, and enable them to develop a distribution strategy that best fits their individual needs, unlike comparable electronic distribution solutions. The IBM initiative incorporates IBM's Advanced Communication System Access (ACSA) and Advanced Application Communication System (A2CS) for Windows NT(c) into the WizCom distribution platform. The IBM ACSA / A2CS module will enable WizCom to provide a multi-hosted, Web-based Hotel Description (HOD) and Direct Reference System (DRS) multi-GDS updating product. The agreement with Ensemble calls for the integration of the eStore product with the WizCom distribution platform to provide hotel customers a cost-effective option to expand their Internet distribution without going through multiple intermediary distributors or developing multiple proprietary interfaces.

"WizCom's goal is to be the definitive source of innovative distribution solutions for the travel industry," said Flo Lugli, President of WizCom. "We know that by working with world class companies such as IBM and Ensemble, we can build upon our industry-leading transaction processing and connectivity to provide products with features that continue to set the standard for the next level of travel distribution."

Central to the development of the IBM and Ensemble modules will be the development of a comprehensive property information and marketing database that will act as a single-point-of-entry-repository for property information. This comprehensive database will give hotel customers complete control over their distribution information, and will provide the flexibility for them to choose where and what information is distributed.

"Hotel companies have told us of their need for a solution that offers greater choice and control," said Lugli. "The market wants a flexible distribution solution that allows them to choose any combination of GDS, Internet or corporate channels to maximize their business."

Currently, most companies must maintain separate links to their various distribution channels, such as the GDSs, Internet, corporate intranets and other distribution databases. Updates to each system can be costly and time-intensive when hotel description, inventory and price adjustments need to be made. The WizCom Distribution Strategy integrates access to information from multiple points all into one system, thus giving a hotel company greater control and choice to utilize channels that best meet their objectives.

"We are excited to be working with WizCom to develop a comprehensive, full-featured travel distribution management product," said Len Pelletiere, Travel Distribution Solutions Executive, IBM Travel and Transportation. "Hotel companies are increasingly looking for more ways to increase their exposure through new travel distribution channels. IBM can build upon WizCom's existing reliable GDS and Internet connectivity with a product that delivers a powerful, cost effective distribution management tool."

The WizCom-IBM component of the strategy is in development and will be available for distribution to lead customers by the end of the third quarter. This initiative will provide hotel customers with an easy-to-use, Web based multi-GDS updating module for HOD and DRS information. WizCom will host and transmit the hotel company's HOD/DRS information simultaneously, all formatted to the specifications of the specific GDS. WizCom plans to showcase the product at HITEC in Atlanta in late June.

In a related agreement, WizCom also announced that hotel customers will have access to Ensemble's eStore: a software solution for travel and hospitality companies that wish to electronically distribute and control their inventory anywhere on the Internet or on corporate intranets. Currently, eStore helps leverage a hotel's existing Internet business by enabling them to make their inventory and reservation system available to customers through any number of real-time electronic storefronts located at third-party Web sites. As part of the agreement, Ensemble will develop a full interface into the WizCom property information marketing database and to the WizCom switch for processing of availability requests and reservations. WizCom will be able to give its hotel customers direct access to interested customers anywhere on the Internet or corporate intranets without going through intermediaries, and allow the hotels to conduct interactive, electronic sales, marketing and distribution.