GetThere

and GlobalStar

Travel Management Corporation today announced that several businesses in Silicon Valley are using GetThere`s online reservation system for business travel, including Polycom, Inc., a worldwide leader in interactive data, voice, video and web communications.

Using GetThere`s technology, GlobalStar has designed customized booking sites for these rapidly-growing client companies that enables their employees to book business trips online as part of a managed travel program. By using the online site, employees have direct access to special travel discounts that have been pre-negotiated for the company.

“Online booking gives our employees the flexibility to book business trips twenty-four hours a day, and provides us with the assurance that they are using the most cost-effective travel options,” said Alla Neys, account manager at Polycom, Inc. “The system will help to reduce overall travel-related costs for Polycom, and complements the use of our own voice, video and web conferencing products to reduce non-essential business travel.”

Using the GetThere DirectMidMarket product, GlobalStar can create and manage individual booking sites for each of its customers. The booking sites are customized to reflect each client`s corporate image, specific travel policies, and any special travel rates that have been negotiated for the company. Access to real-time travel data also enables GlobalStar to help clients manage travel costs most effectively.

“GlobalStar has always focused on providing cost-containment strategies to our clients,” said Hal Taff, vice president of Corporate Development at GlobalStar Travel Management. “Using GetThere`s online booking technology provides our clients with a new way to keep a lid on travel expenses while they concentrate on growing their business.”

Corporations often reduce travel costs by 20 percent or more by using the online technology. The system used by GlobalStar is based on the same industry-leading technology that GetThere provides directly to more than 800 large corporations, including more than half of the Fortune 200 companies.

“Working with travel management firms such as GlobalStar, GetThere is able to help small and medium-size businesses manage travel procurement costs,” said Jane Stampe, vice president of Distributor Sales at GetThere. “By using our online booking technology, growing companies are able to get more for their dollar, helping them compete more effectively.”

Related stories on ITN:

(02/12/2002) Cyprus Airways Selects GetThere For E-commerce Initiative

 

(25/11/2002) KPMG Deploys GetThere to Save £1m on Travel Annually

(30/10/2002) GetThere Survey Illustrates How Online Technology Can Cut Costs

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