Galileo International, Inc., a leading provider of electronic global distribution services (GDS) for the travel industry, today announced that it was recognized in the Innovation 100 research series, co-produced by InformationWeek, the leading IT media brand, and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, the global consulting firm. 
Galileo, the only GDS company to be included in the list, was ranked number 74 by the Innovation 100 research, which specializes in illuminating specific business-critical areas of information technology.  This powerful, in-depth benchmarking tool is designed to break new ground in the examination of innovative business initiatives.
“Innovation 100 benchmarks the most effective uses of information technology,” said David Neel, director of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young`s StraightEights Method and AccelerEight Center.  “It provides an excellent point of reference for other companies to measure their own technology and customer service strategies.”
This recognition comes on the heels of Galileo being named to InformationWeek’s 12th annual top 500 ranking of the most innovative users of information technology (Sept. 11 edition).  Galileo, the only GDS company to be named to the 500 list, garnered both gold and silver medals in customer knowledge and technology, respectively.
“Galileo prides itself on developing customer-driven technology solutions,” said Galileo’s James E. Lubinski, executive vice president, Operations. “We’re fulfilling customers’ desktop technology needs, enabling them to leverage the Internet and wireless computing platforms to service their customers.  With our advanced development work with Microsoft on the .Net platform, Galileo is developing and implementing new ways our customers can leverage tomorrow’s technology today.”
Research teams from InformationWeek and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young came together to develop Innovation 100 in order to find ways to help companies become proactive in serving their customers` needs.  The resulting report is an in-depth look at 100 top US companies` customer offerings and the systems they use to ensure their customers receive personalized service. 
“The findings of the Innovation 100 amplify InformationWeek`s past findings that there is a definitive trend toward customer-centric offerings,” said Rusty Weston, editor of InformationWeek Research.  “Our research over the past year has shown that companies are emphasizing customers` specific needs in compelling new ways.”  The complete list of companies can be found at www.informationweek.com/innovation100.
Galileo was specifically recognized for its work with the Internet and the Web-enabled solutions it is providing to travel agency customers, along with its industry-leading arsenal of wireless services.  “Our technology solutions are extending the value, reach and selling power of travel agents,” said Galileo’s Babetta R. Gray, executive vice president, Subscriber Sales and Service.  “For example, when travel agencies use our unique Internet portal, TravelGalileo.com?, they can literally serve their customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And with the data synchronization feature on Galileo Wireless?, travel agents are always up-to-date with changes made to their client’s travel itinerary, a key feature for enhanced customer service and accurate reporting.”
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