Vesta Technologies has completed the installation of Imperial Car Rental`s online booking facility,
www.imperialcarrental.co.za
. Making use of IBM`s Host Publisher technology, Vesta enabled Imperial to extend a real-time, online service to clients while protecting Imperial`s development investment.
The decision to update Imperial`s static reservations page to an interactive e-commerce site, was taken in October 2000, after which Vesta started work on the site. "It was a natural evolution for us to enable online bookings. Not only is it something that our clients expected of us, but it also enables us to deliver a faster and more efficient service, especially to corporates."
Despite Imperial`s focus on the corporate market for this particular functionality, Dawn Jones, MD of Imperial Car Rental, is convinced that individual users and smaller companies will also derive benefit from it. The online booking system does not mean that Imperial has done away with the human touch, Vesta has ensured that a chat box is in place and customer queries and comments are channelled through this medium. According to Jones, Imperial simply Web-enabled their core business strategy, which still centres on the customer.
Having spent time working on application developments in NATURAL ADABAS for the past few years, Imperial had two choices when it came to upgrading their Web offering. "We had to either lose all the original development and start from scratch, or use Host Publisher technology to take our green screen applications to the Web. The decision was obvious and Vesta was the only company with the in-house skills to help us accomplish this," explains Buck Bauer, at Imperial Car Rental.
Host Publisher accommodates multiple platforms and runs on the IBM WebSphere server technology. Magda Morrison, MD of Vesta Technologies, says the IBM product offered the best solution to the problem at hand. "Host Publisher creates a session with the host, and then converts the content to HTML."
Access to the system can be gained with any appropriate technology, as long as it is browser-based. Morrison adds that green screen applications are not user-friendly and often demands extensive training. "Their new Web applications are easy to use and quick to get the hang of."
With the use of Host Publisher, Vesta was able to develop a composite application that allows Imperial to combine two green screen applications on a single view. Additionally, the product has the ability to communicate with any backend system, from a mainframe to AS 400`s.
"The solution offered to us by Vesta extends and enhances our traditional functionality and service," says Jones. "Furthermore we have taken care of all security issues, something that is crucial for Imperial as customers access the same booking engine as the Imperial consultants. We have gone to great lengths to secure the backend system as well as the mainframe."
Cost saving is yet another benefit that this booking medium provides to Imperial. "With conventional telephonic reservation methods, it costs us approximately R12, 50 per booking. However, using the Web, those costs are reduced to virtually zero," adds Jones.
Another advantage of the new system is its instant confirmation functionality. "It is also a 24-hour service that provides the client with immediate access to the Imperial fleet of cars, complete with pictures and availability listed, and to book requires the click of a mouse" says Jones. The booking process is further streamlined by providing the customer with a single number that will function as reservation, booking and invoicing number. Customers are able to print their travel document straight from the site, and that is valid at all times.
"Most companies are going the Internet route, and this is something that we have been contemplating for a while, and the fact that we could protect our existing investment while enhancing our client offering was truly a bonus to us," concludes Jones.
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