IBM and e-Travel
, the e-commerce business unit
of Amadeus, have been chosen by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, one of the world’s
top airlines, to build and run its new generation Internet portal.
  “Faster, easier and more customer-friendly.”  This is the goal of
Lufthansa.com and the cornerstone of a 5-year agreement under which IBM and
Amadeus e-Travel, together with Lufthansa aim to offer improved service to
Lufthansa.com visitors with an intuitive, yet comprehensive booking and
faring process.

Under the terms of this agreement, IBM will supply the consulting, solution
development, maintenance and hosting operations. Amadeus will provide and
operate the overall booking and faring solution.  Together the two companies
will provide the infrastructure, middleware and network technologies for the
entire project.

“The airline will be able to react quickly to market demand at any time,
thanks to the built-in flexibility enabled by the new portal,” says Dr.
Matthias Förster, Global Relationship Partner at IBM Business Consulting
Services.

Ian Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing and Managing Director of e-Travel,
said “We look forward to working jointly with IBM to provide improved online
technology to Lufthansa and their customers. Currently adopted by over 60
airlines, including bmi, Qantas and Air Canada, our proven application
service provider (ASP) self-service solutions, including Planitgo Flex
Pricer technology allows airlines to improve their conversion and yield
levels. Thanks to e-Travel servicing technology, customers are able to
rebook online, freeing up call centres and putting the customer in control.
 
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