Recently in LinkedIn there was a very interesting discussion going on. The topic under consideration was
If you were looking for Internet booking engine (IBE) solution what would be the key decision drivers? (posted by Radoslaw)
I am posting below the responses given by users.
- Look & Feel
- Functionality / features
- Flexibility
- Multi-provider capabilities
- Customization capabilities
- Capabilities to integrate with your back/mid-office systems
- Costs: initial / transaction / maintenance / customization
- Provider’s brand
- Business Vision and Market to cater of the IBE company
- Collaboration of Unique Selling Point ( USP) & Technology behind that
- Supplier Integration ( multi, single, dynamic switch)
- Rule Engine - Robust and at same time easy to use
- Customer relationship management
- Booking management
- loyalty program
- good fraudulent detection
- Use of virtual office id, pcc code for multilingual, multi culture
- Creativity & Vision
- Social media integration
- Speed, responsiveness
- Technical support
- Modular & scalable architecture
- Dynamic packaging, customized flight & hotel inventory management
Now the above are not listed in any particular order. I have just consolidated their feedback. However the above should give you an idea about what users are looking for in an OTA.
Food for thought?
Author: Alex Augustine
Alex is the Managing Director of Teknokraaft.