It is part of MIDOCO Group's strategy to equip travel agents for multi-channel content. This is exactly what TAD is doing. A partnership of two companies with the aim of making life easier for travel agents. We spoke to Anne-Kathrin Geuppert, Head of Business Development Travel (EMEA).
Can TAD be called an "NDC aggregator"?
I wouldn’t call it an NDC aggregator, as TAD can do much more than just provide NDC. TAD provides access to GDSs and 3rd parties such as NDC airline APIs, low cost carriers and hotel & car aggregators. So TAD is a Travel Distribution Platform that aims to provide the required content for the travel agents in one central place and to efficiently manage the end-to-end processes. This is often the crux of the matter.
What does TAD stand for?
TAD simply stands for Travel Agent Desktop.
What are the target groups?
Target groups are travel agencies / TMCs and, of course, their agents in particular.
How does profile data integration work with Umbrella?
First of all: Structured profile data is the Alpha and Omega in an efficient end-to-end process. That's why we have extensively integrated Umbrella's profile data via their API. In an offer and booking process, we then make use of this data and present it in the TAD interface according to certain rules.
What is the USP of TAD?
The key USPs of the system are its flexibility, the overall efficiency of the end-to-end process flow and the automation of steps within that flow that make it so.
That may not sound like much, but there's a lot in there. Flexibility includes, for example, the ability to customise TAD to individual customer requirements and the easy integration of additional partners and interfaces. Past experiences have shown that no two travel agencies are alike. That is why it remains the goal of our travel platform to map this flexibility in the best possible way.
An end-to-end process flow is divided into many sub-processes. One process step is, of course, the intelligent integration of profile data. Another is, for example, the mapping of the availability booking workflow across all channels. Not all connected interfaces enable an availability request and to ensure that this workflow can still be supported, we map this in a dedicated background process. Our goal is to make our customers more successful in the long run, and this includes the permanent optimization/further development of TAD. In this respect, we value the input of our customers and partners very much.
Here is an explanatory video about TAD, which we created as NDC technology partner of the Lufthansa Group:
Are there already reference customers/pilot customers?
Absolutely. TAD has been developed together with the global franchise system Lufthansa City Center (LCC). Known as Bridge-IT, the tool has been an integral part of the booking technology at LCC offices since 2018. In June 2021, we launched TAD as a product and other customers, whom I can’t yet name, are in the process of introducing our technology.
What are your sales goals for TAD?
Conquering the world! Of course, only where we can deliver added value, otherwise you won't be successful with a product. Each market has to be considered individually. We started with TAD in the German-speaking market, but in reality, our travel platform is already being used globally and bookings are being processed via our technology from almost all parts of the world.
Who is PASS? What distinguishes the company?
PASS is a medium-sized, international software, cloud services and IT consulting company headquartered in Aschaffenburg (near Frankfurt). This year the company is celebrating its 40th anniversary (although due to Corona, celebrations are unfortunately limited). More than 600 employees happily drive digitalization in large corporations, medium-sized businesses and start-ups from the digital economy, financial industry, insurance industry, travel industry, telecommunications, public administration and sports, among others. PASS's overall strategy is "For a better digital world".
PASS is characterized in particular by its digitization and technology expertise, the security and reliability of its applications, and its high quality standards. In addition, PASS is committed both to top-level sports in the region and to promoting sustainable projects for young people.
What has been your most remarkable travel experience so far?
In retrospect, I was incredibly grateful that we made it to Hawaii for a month in February 2020 before COVID-19 brought travel to a nearly complete standstill. Naively, I had thought before the trip that when I returned it would be over, but unfortunately that was not the case.