August 31, 2004 Atlanta--Travel technology provider Worldspan has awarded AT&T a three-year, $30 million networking contract, naming the carrier its provider of choice for North America. Atlanta-based Worldspan provides worldwide electronic distribution of travel information, Internet products, and connectivity, and e-commerce capabilities for travel agencies, travel suppliers, and corporations.
Worldspan's global distribution system (GDS) provides 16,000 travel agencies and other users worldwide with travel data and booking capabilities for approximately 800 of the world's leading travel service suppliers. Globally, Worldspan is the largest transaction processor for online travel agencies, having processed 65% of all GDS air transactions during the 12 months ended March 31, 2004.
As part of the agreement, AT&T will deploy a secure, high-speed network-based Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network solution connected to an AT&T Ultravailable Network (UVN) fiber ring at the host site. The solutions will provide flexible network access options that, in turn, help Worldspan lower costs and improve system availability.
The UVN ring will allow Worldspan customers -- from the largest airlines to small, independent travel agents -- to access Worldspan's systems via a number of different technologies. Major airlines and large, high-volume travel agencies, for instance, can access Worldspan's systems using a dedicated high-speed IP circuit that connects directly to the UVN ring. Smaller customers, including independent travel agencies, can access the database by using the same dedicated IP technology or lower cost DSL Internet-based technologies to securely connect to the UVN ring, effectively providing them with a solution that is affordable and scaled to the size of their business.
"Worldspan's high-volume, 24-by-7 global operation requires a solution that can deliver the proven, efficient and reliable network technology necessary to meet the demands of customers of all sizes," said David Lauderdale, chief technical officer and senior vice president, Worldwide Technical Operations for Worldspan. "Our new network infrastructure from AT&T allows us to meet these requirements, giving Worldspan an edge in this highly competitive industry."
To assure business continuity for Worldspan and its customers in the event of natural disaster, major technical failure or other catastrophe, AT&T backs up Worldspan's entire database at its Atlanta-area Internet Data Center.
In addition, Worldspan gains access to tools online that give real-time reports on network performance and direct access to AT&T's ordering, status, inventory and trouble management systems through the secure AT&T BusinessDirect portal.