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xml feeds knowledge
XML feeds can be used both for an agency’s
internal selling system to speed up searches, XML TIPS
or on an agent’s own bookable website as a
search engine for customers to use. Hays ■ Speed limits: Agents should
Travel is an example of an agency chain that find out what response speeds are
uses XML in both these ways. offered by the XML connection as this will
help to avoid time-out errors, recommends
How can agencies effectively use XML Cosmos trade sales head Gordon McCreadie.
for their business? He also says links should be well tested
This is where things get more complicated as before going live, while agents should make
XML needs quite a lot of technical expertise sure they have the most up-to-date data
to make sure it works effectively and and that all prices reflect agent discounts.
efficiently.
Mark Stanghon, XML development ■ Numbers game: There is no limit to how
manager for Hotels4U and Medhotels, says: many XML feeds agents can use but Mike
“First of all agents need to check that their Cogan, partner at technology consultancy
existing system can support XML messaging. Equinus, says they should stick to as many
Some agents may be using old technologies as they need and can sensibly handle. He
or old back-office systems that are unable to also says that agencies without IT support
support XML so it’s best to speak to your and systems will have to rely on their
technology provider if in any doubt.” software provider to handle the XML data.
ranked by the lowest price available or by To get the best out of XML, agencies also
star ratings. have to ensure there is regular maintenance ■ Standards bearer: Agencies should make
While searching for hotel rooms is so they don’t miss out on the latest updates sure that the XML feeds they use comply
currently the most obvious use for XML, and new hotels from suppliers. with Open Travel Alliance (OTA) standards
agents can also look for packages or flights Stanghon adds that it’s better for agencies as these links are more flexible and offer
using the same technology. For example, all to use travel technology suppliers such as more content, says Hotels4U’s Mark
of Cosmos’s packages and sister brand Avro’s Multicom, Comtec, Traveltek or CSI Media to Stanghon. This allows agents to filter
flights are available on XML feeds. The make sure they can use XML fully. results by different criteria such as board
advantage over traditional systems, such as There are signs that XML is becoming an basis or resort, as well as giving them
viewdata, is that XML is faster and offers alternative to viewdata for booking packages. access to extra information such as Google
more content such as photographs and hotel Amadeus-owned TravelTainment offers a maps showing the location of the hotel.
descriptions. system providing more than 70 million
XML can also be used to help sell add-ons. holiday packages from 35 operators using ■ Data control: Agents should choose
Attractions specialist DoSomethingDiffer- XML platforms. software that can automatically reduce the
ent.com has just launched an XML service to Most major operators who offer XML links, amount of duplicated data and show only
the trade. This feed automatically displays such as Thomas Cook and Cosmos, offer the cheapest options, says Andy Keeley,
available attractions and excursions in a dedicated support teams for agencies to sales director at dynamic packaging
destination when agents are searching for a make sure the feeds can be successfully software developer Intuitive.
hotel or holiday in that location. integrated into the agents’ systems.
Case study Hays Beds
WE WANTED to bring together a number different websites as the XML links are displayed, such as using the cheapest
of different bed suppliers to make sure take you straight into their booking price available.
we get the most value for the business, systems so it gives us great flexibility XML is quite complicated so you really
and XML connectivity is the best way for and live pricing. need technical people. There’s an inte-
us to do this. You can also set a limit for how long gration process to make sure it works and
When one of our agents looks for a the search takes. Our limit is 15 seconds the feeds also need to be maintained.
NIGEL HEBRON hotel, XML allows us to search through so if a supplier’s system doesn’t send We have a team of developers but for
financial and com- eight accommodation-only suppliers, the information within that time, they small agencies it’s probably best to work
mercial director, Hays such as Hotels4U, Medhotels etc, at the will miss out on that potential booking. with a tech company so they can run the
Beds, Sunderland same time. This saves you having to go to You can also choose how the results XML and you can keep selling holidays.”
03.07.2009 29
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