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Datalex Implements Consolidated Fares Solution for Thomas Cook Retail Division

BookIt! Fares provides real time access to negotiated fare contracts in multi-channel distribution environment


Dublin, Ireland and London: November 14, 2001: - Datalex (Nasdaq symb: DLEX; ISE: DLE), a leading provider of technology solutions for the global travel and transportation industry, recently implemented their BookIt! Fares solution for the Retail Division of the Thomas Cook Group.


This initiative is part of Thomas Cook’s ongoing e-Business strategy to introduce the latest technology to all aspects of its travel business, including its online travel site, call centre and retail outlets. Thomas Cook provides its customers with an extensive range of travel products and services through its network of company-owned travel shops, tour operators and airline.


BookIt! Fares—together with distributed booking tools—provides the Thomas Cook call centre and its retail shops powerful search capabilities for all private fare contracts with simultaneous availability.


An Instant Commit database enables evolving fare conditions to be instantly updated on the live system, providing immediate availability to the distribution network. BookIt! Fares is also implemented for the thomascook.com Web site and for Thomas Cook Holidays.

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“This extension of our technology contract with Thomas Cook represents a significant opportunity for Datalex to showcase the deployment of our consolidated fares solution in a multi-channel distribution environment,” said Aidan Brogan, VP International Sales, Datalex. “Our vision is to enable our clients to enhance the efficiency of traditional supply channels while strategically embracing Web-based distribution networks, thus preserving the value of their existing technology investment. “


Last year Datalex implemented the Internet booking technology for the re-launched thomascook.com Web site that is hosted at the Datalex hosting facilities in Atlanta, Georgia.


“With BookIt! Fares we are able to react quickly to changes in net fare contracts whilst at the same time ensuring the contract rules are followed. This has enabled us to ensure that we provide our best possible fare to our customers,” said Adrian Wright, Project Manager, Air Developments, Thomas Cook. “Having reviewed a number of systems prior to selecting Datalex, we settled on a system that provides nearly all areas of our business with the solutions they require. Thomas Cook will continue to seek innovative ways of servicing our varied client base. Datalex understands the needs of our business, and is keen to explore those same opportunities with us.”


About Datalex

Datalex is a leading provider of technology solutions for the global travel industry. Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices throughout the world: Europe (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Manchester, Zurich); USA (Atlanta, Petaluma); and Asia-Pacific (Melbourne, Singapore).


Datalex`s customers include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Amadeus, American Airlines, AMTRAK, British Airways, California State Automobile Association, Delta Air Lines, FAR&WIDE, Galileo, Irish Continental Group, KLM, Lufthansa, QANTAS, Singapore Airlines, SNCF, Thai Airways International, Thomas Cook, Trailfinders, Travelcare and Travelstore. Datalex also is a strategic partner with FAR&WIDE; and a technology partner of Atraxis, Worldspan, and ORBITZ, the new airline travel site developed by United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Continental Airlines. Datalex enjoys a joint venture with Vail Resorts and holds a 50 percent interest in Yatra Corporation. Datalex is a publicly held company traded on both the Irish Stock Exchange (symbol: DLE) and Nasdaq (symbol: DLEX). For more information, please visit the company`s Web site at www.datalex.com.


About Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook was established in 1841. Thomas Cook UK currently employs 12,500 staff. It owns the second largest high street travel shops network with 700 shops, seven Thomas Cook warehouses, four Thomas Cook Direct Call Centres and thomascook.com.


Thomas Cook`s UK tour operating brands include: JMC Holidays, Neilson, Style, Club 18-30, Sunworld Ireland and Skiers World. JMC Airlines currently operates 29 aircraft and is the UK`s second largest charter airline


Thomas Cook UK was acquired by Germany`s Thomas Cook AG in early 2001. Thomas Cook AG is Europe`s second largest travel group and is owned by Lufthansa (50%) and Karstadt Quelle (50%).


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