Express Bookers, experts in contracting and selling short-haul holidays, has recently signed up to iVector, the dynamic packaging software from tour operating software and systems specialist, intuitive.  iVector is currently being rolled out across the company and includes direct contracting of accommodation, transfers and cruises, a call centre application, XML distribution to the trade, and the building of a flagship dynamic packaging website for trade and direct clients (rebuilding www.expressbookers.co.uk).

Says Andy Keeley, director of sales, intuitive: “The Express Bookers project signals the first time we have delivered iVector as an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution. The considerable time and resources we have committed to the continual development of new and unique applications for iVector over recent years is now paying real dividends. 

“Of course, the inherent flexibility of the iVector platform means we can continue to offer highly-bespoke solutions, but for the system to meet business requirements ‘off the shelf’  for companies like Express Bookers indicates a major milestone in iVector’s ongoing development.”

Says Keith Pringle (IT Director) at Express Bookers: “We are very impressed with iVector’s features. The guys at intuitive clearly understand our market and have shaped iVector accordingly. Its flexibility, range of applications and functionality are all outstanding. Clearly, we are currently only using a small part of the system and it’s exciting to think of the potential available to us. We are pleased to have a resilient, dynamic platform from which to grow our businesses well into the future.”

Express Bookers specialises in hotel, cruise and car hire bookings in short haul destinations including the Greek Islands, Egypt, Turkey, Malta, Romania, Spain and Cyprus.  Until now, the company’s booking system was a largely manual loading and confirmation process. With iVector, the whole process will be completely automated, giving Express Bookers and, critically, its customers, rapid, real time access to a broad range of holiday products in the company’s key destinations. 

iVector offers tour operators a unique web-based platform for live packaging, pricing and availability, be it from ‘own-contracted’ stock or from a third party; sold online, in a call centre or distributed via XML.  It can be tailored to accommodate the unique needs of each business, from accommodation-only websites and dynamic packaging multi-sales channel agents, through to tailor-made itinerary building by specialist tour operators.  With iVector implemented Express Bookers will be able to significantly enhance its distribution relationships with trade clients for real-time searching and booking via XML, whilst suppliers will enjoy their product being on sale in a matter of seconds using iVector’s mobile contracting solution. Once contracted, suppliers will also benefit from iVector’s supplier portal to manage rates, allocations and special offers themselves.

Concludes Andy Keeley: “iVector is becoming the industry standard for highly functional, innovative, dynamic packaging software. We are attending the Travel Technology Europe exhibition (stand B7) at Earls Court 2, London in February and encourage visitors to the show to come on to the stand and receive a live demonstration of iVector and discuss with us their dynamic packaging requirements.”