Optims Launches WebRes 2, The Real Time, On-Line And On Request Hotel Reservation System

Optims S.A. (Evry, France), European leader in Information Technology solutions dedicated to the optimisation of revenue and management methods in Hospitality, Tourism and Transport, announces the launch of WebRes 2, a real-time, on-line and on request driven hotel booking engine. This system enables hotel chains and Tourism Offices to provide their customers with a user friendly method to book rooms in real time via the Internet.

WebRes 2 is the evolution of Optims WebRes which is already providing hotels with real-time online reservations. Hoteliers now have the added benefit of using the "on request" module. The global working of the engine remains largely unchanged, hoteliers can still update their rates, rate calendar and inventory availability through a Web Planning tool. They also benefit from being able to manage their own "rate availability" in real-time, allowing hoteliers to manage and increase their Yield potential. WebRes technology is based on standard Microsoft' ASP architecture.

With WebRes 2, customers make a request for a reservation via the website, several things may now happen. If the hotel has a room available at the requested rate the booking is immediately registered and confirmed online and in real time. However, if there is no availability, the added feature enables the hotel groups central reservation office (CRO) to be automatically informed via email and the customer also receives an e-mail explaining that they will shortly be contacted by the CRO. A "workflow" tool then allows the CRO to send e-mails or to contact other hotels with similar characteristics (e.g.town, area, rate, quality, room type etc). The CRO is then able to come back to the client with alternative accomodation. The addition of this module allows hoteliers to be more proactive with their sales, increase occupancy and improve profitability.

If the hotel is not connected to Optims.CRS central reservation office, an e-mail will be sent to inform them of the booking demand that hasn't been fullfilled. The hotelier will then have the choice to contact the customer back with alternative propositions.

"The capability for offering its customers an online booking engine is seen as added value for todays hoteliers, explains Antoine Medawar, CEO of Optims. However, a booking may be lost if the chosen hotel has no availability. By adding an offer of "on request" bookings, this risk is greatly reduced as hoteliers are given two opportunities of capturing their clients business. For the customer it is seamless, they only need to visit the hotel web site once".

WebRes is part of Optims Central Reservation Solution (CRS), that offers two other independent modules : Optims Switch (distribution of hotel rooms over the Internet through a network of partners) and Optims.Call Center (a complete electronic Central Reservation for call centres).

ABOUT : WEBRES 2

If you would like to learn more about WebRes and/or have a demonstration of the product, just connect to www.web-reservation.com, which is specially designed for Webres users.

Optims develops and implements Information Technology solutions dedicated to optimising management methods and revenues. For the past decade, Optims has been serving the Hospitality, Tourism, Catering, Transport and Travel industries with three complementary technologies. They include Property Management Systems (PMS) ; Yield Management Solutions known as Revenue Management Systems ; and a Central Reservation System (CRS). Optims is now the leading European developer of IT solutions for the Hospitality market. The Company has over 3,500 customers in more than 55 countries, with its revenue management solutions enjoying an installed base of over 200 customer sites worldwide. Among Optims' prestigious clientele are Accor, Thistle, Boscolo, Fram, Nouvelles Frontieres, Radisson and Savoy Group. Optims issued its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Nouveau Marché in the Paris Stock Exchange in June 2000 (SICOVAM code: 7652).