Way open to mobile software companies
Travel companies are cutting back their IT development leaving the way open to mobile software companies, said Mike Atherton, ceo of Mantic Point.
"The stresses in the economy seem to be working for us. Large travel brands tend not to have that many resources," he said.
"Their priority list gets longer and longer but their IT development priority gets shorter. So what it means is they're more likely to partner."
Mantic Point is targeting business travellers, keen to capitalise on their increased need to consolidate travel information.
"The individual information elements include road traffic and flight alerts, if your flight's delayed, boarding reminders, booking references and terminal locations," he said.
"It's important that business travellers aren't looking for bits of paper with different information. Obviously business travellers are under time pressure. A few seconds is valuable."
"Even though our largest number of subscribers is leisure, the requirements for business travel are the same but the content is different.
According to Mr Atherton, mobile technology offers the best penetration into the business travel sector.
"Particularly with the penetration of smartphones, business travel is the place to start. It's a very significant and important market for us," he said.
"What people actually want is more information, but they want it in a way which is more accessible."
"That's why mobile is an excellent platform to be able to send personalised information."
Already providing information services for clients such as easyJet and Heathrow operator BAA, Mantic Point has launched its new StreamThru product.
Mr Atherton said the new service offers tailored, contextualised and complete information to travellers with mobile web-enabled phones, not just those with smartphones such as Blackberrys.
www.streamthru.com www.manticpoint.com