Case studies
Hertz
'Swift and smooth implementation of a secure browse-and-buy'
The Opportunity
Like most global organisations, Hertz is always looking at new and innovative ways to maximise its distribution channels. Handy Group first approached Hertz with a view to becoming a reseller in the leisure market through the consumer portal 'HandyTraveller'. Hertz has subsequently grasped the opportunity to trial a customer-focussed 'white label' application from Handy Group under the Hertz banner, aimed at their 'Number 1' loyalty card members.
Our Solution
The tailored application provides a swift, easy-to-use and secure browser-based system where customers can browse, check availability and buy at 'best rates' on any handset, on any network, any time.
Hertz are members of the OTA (Open Travel Alliance) and have implemented common standard XML API's that are very well documented. As fellow members of the OTA, Handy Group's integration was extremely straightforward, with no load requirement on Hertz's resources and full implementation achieved in just four weeks.
Holiday Extras
'Working together on ground-breaking application'
The Opportunity
As its name suggests, Holiday Extras provides products and services that complement holidays. With an annual turnover in excess of £100M, the company deals in airport hotels and airport parking, as well as airport lounges, theatre breaks, theme parks etc. Holiday Extras has found itself increasingly dependent on internet business. As such, the company devotes significant resources to keeping abreast of web trends, including how users access sites. To ensure that mobile access was covered, Holiday Extras wanted to 'test the water' with Handy Group. They were always insistent that they wanted a fully transactional system.
Our Solution
Holiday Extras worked extremely closely with Handy Group during early technical development, helping to form the proposition of delivering the full end-to-end process on mobile devices. Holiday Extras' insistence that the solution must include secure transactions helped shape Handy Group’s business model.
Though the initial goal was to make secure bookings and transactions a reality, Handy Group developed a fast, simple-to-use consumer application that goes beyond this goal. The current application is a great example of straightforward integration combined with a slick, fully functional user interface.
Somewhere2Stay
'Award-winning system with high quality image browsing'
The Opportunity
As a new direct sell initiative from within the Cosmos Group, Somewhere2Stay are adopting every direct-to-consumer channel available. Their product range focuses on accommodation in locations that are well serviced by the low cost carriers - featuring hotels, apartments and villas in Europe and the USA. The company wanted a mobile application with powerful browse capabilities, so that customers would be able to view images, find details of accommodation and local amenities – and make reservations and payments.
Our Solution
The Handy Group solution developed for Somewhere2Stay won the Innovation in Travel Award from TTG, as well as the TravelMole Best Use of Mobile Technology Award in May 2008.
Customers can browse accommodation in 26 countries, look at multiple images, select individual resorts, view local information and book and pay from their mobile. The system incorporates additional functionality from Avro for charter flights, as well as airport hotels and parking from Holiday Extras.