Press Release – For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alan Minton
Cornerstone Information Systems
(812) 269-0014; aminton@ciswired.com
Cornerstone Unveils Two New Applications
PTA and Schedule Change Manager Processing Over 1,000,000 Transactions per Month:
Bloomington, IN - July 19, 2007: Cornerstone Information Systems, a technology and professional services firm serving the travel industry, has announced the release of two new applications designed to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve revenue management. Pre-Travel Authorization (PTA) and Schedule Change Manager (SCM) are a part of Cornerstone’s reservation and data management platforms that are in use by over 500 corporations and travel management companies worldwide. “We were hesitant to announce the release earlier this year until we validated performance on these new applications. Customers including two of three world’s largest travel agencies and their various business units are seeing some real value from automating the processing of schedule changes and pre travel authorizations. Our PTA application is currently installed and processing transactions with over 20 corporations and is on track for over 100 installations by year end. We have surpassed the million transactions per month on these technologies and it was time to share the successful deployment of these applications” said Mat Orrego, CEO of Cornerstone.
What is Pre-Travel Authorization?
Cornerstone’s PTA automates the costly, labor-intensive and error-prone process of securing authorization for business travel before reservations are ticketed. Corporations can specify a virtually unlimited number of conditions (air, car, hotel, limo, per diem, etc.) that trigger the need for travel authorization. When PTA identifies such a reservation, an email alert is sent to designated approvers indicating that a trip is pending which needs their attention. Email alerts are consistent in format and trip details are easily accessible through a secure web site from any location in the world on a 24/7 basis. Upon approval or declination information is inserted into the PNR alleviating the need for manual intervention. In addition, a complete audit trail is created to provide proof that certain messages are getting to the right people at the right times.
What is Schedule Change Manager?
Schedule Change Manager (SCM) automates the time consuming process of managing the numerous amounts of schedule change notices received by the travel professional. When combined with, Cornerstone’s iQCX it can be configured to approve schedule changes based on each customers unique requirements and take specific action on the schedule changes that require attention. These actions include priority queuing, traveler notification via email or text messaging. Cornerstone is also integrating SCM with California based AcuFlight to enable SCM customers to take advantage of AcuFlight’s Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) technology and perform outbound quality assurance notifications. “There are millions of redundant telephone calls generated by on-line and off-line travel transactions that are costing TMCs and their customers millions of dollars each year that can be automated. ‘Schedule change’ is just one type of these calls. We are very pleased to be working with Cornerstone to tightly integrate our technology with theirs to allow customers to realize significant cost savings and improved customer service for their travelers schedule change needs and the various other types of ‘redundant’ phone calls that occur in travel," stated Donna Billera, AcuFlight’s executive vice president for client development.
In addition to these new applications, Cornerstone is expanding its ability to interact with other third party technology companies. Currently, Cornerstone customers can leverage their Cornerstone technology investment to take advantage of the valuable products and service offered by companies such as Control Risks, e-Travel Advisories, Prism, AcuFlight, Infotriever, Travel GPA, FlightStats and eCommission Solutions. "As third party proprietary technologies evolve, especially those that offer process improvement and that deliver measurable results to the end user, corporations and TMCs are quickly realizing a significant and positive impact on their bottom line. The ability to integrate those technologies with established platforms such as Cornerstone's greatly enhances our product and services offerings. I have had the good fortune to work with the Cornerstone team for over a decade now and as our technologies continue to evolve in concert, so does the value and revenue potential to our mutual customers,” explained Paul Hoffmann, CEO of eCommission Solutions
“Being an innovative technology company means focusing on your core competencies in order to deliver exceptional value. It also means partnering with other quality companies to deliver affordable applications and services that improve performance, lower costs and deliver value,” added Orrego. “By following this methodology we are able to have a greater impact on the business of travel. Stay tuned for more partnership and product release announcements this year.”
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone Information Systems is a professional services company helping travel management companies, corporate travel departments, airline and global distribution systems work more efficiently and more profitably. Founded in 1992, Cornerstone Information Systems is a privately held company based in Bloomington, Indiana with personnel in eight locations worldwide. Further information about the company is available at www.ciswired.com or by calling Alan Minton at (812) 269-0014.
