Cendant Travel Distribution Services, IBS Software Services reach agreement to develop and promote 'iRes' to global airline industry

"iRes" is IBS's innovative new technology designed to replace less flexible, more expensive "legacy" Passenger Services Systems and dramatically improve airlines' efficiencies, profitability, service quality, and ability to respond more quickly to market changes. The alliance is part of TDS's commitment to expanding the services and products it provides to airlines to enable them to compete more effectively in the evolving travel industry.

Under the agreement, IBS will have primary responsibility for product development and support, and Cendant TDS will have primary responsibility for product management, sales, marketing, and customer relationships. IBS will continue to develop the "iRes" application suite, and provide software maintenance and support services to "iRes" customers; while Cendant TDS will manage the worldwide rollout and promotion of "iRes," and provide hosting services in an application service provider (ASP) environment.

"iRes" is an innovative integrated system utilizing a new generation of technology developed by IBS, which efficiently and comprehensively addresses the full range of business functions that airlines typically manage through Passenger Service System technology - including passenger reservations, check-in, baggage control, inventory control, fares, ticketing, and flight control. The open architecture platform of this new technology is easy to customize and has the flexibility to support the business models of all sizes of carriers, from low-fare carriers to full-service airlines. The technology enables airlines to integrate their distribution channel with other travel services such as car rentals and hotels.

"iRes" can also enhance an airline's revenue-earning potential by providing sophisticated inventory and yield-management capabilities. The multi-hosting capabilities of the technology effectively support ASP operations as well as stand-alone, in-house operations. Unlike legacy applications, "iRes" enables airlines to easily make changes and provides flexibility to quickly respond to changing market conditions. In addition, it is substantially less expensive to own, operate and maintain, allowing the savings to go to the bottom line.

Charles DeSilva, Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, Galileo said, " The airline industry has long needed a new Passenger Services System that more effectively supports rapidly changing business processes and evolving business models that can give airlines the ability to innovate. 'iRes' meets these needs superbly to address the evergrowing needs of both existing as well as the emerging airlines in this region."

"iRes" is being developed and released in stages through three major product releases- with the first release already available to the market. TDS is already in discussions with several of the industry's leading low-fare carriers to become the launch customer for "iRes."