G2 SwitchWorks TRUEconnect(TM) Network in Production, Launches Web Services

G2 SwitchWorks TRUEconnect(TM) Network in Production, Launches Web Services

XML Schema Available for Developers to Access New Distribution Network

CHICAGO, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- G2 SwitchWorks Corp., a developer of next generation travel distribution services, announced today that it is booking end-to-end transactions in production and has launched "G2 Web Services," an open platform that enables developers to access G2's TRUEconnect network to perform travel reservation services

"We are successfully booking live transactions in production with five major airlines, have grown our list of signed travel suppliers to eleven and now have the ability to connect to over 500 airlines," said Alex Zoghlin, G2's founder and CEO. "Our efforts towards commercial launch are well under way and have exceeded our initial plans."

G2 is the first complete alternative to the GDS to reach production status with multiple airlines. In addition, G2 will provide all traditional GDS functionality including interline and paper tickets. G2's Web Services ( http://www.g2switchworks.com/webservices ) allow industry participants to share in this event. By using G2's Web Services developers can build applications and tools to incorporate many of the unique features of TRUEconnect into their programs -- free of charge.

"G2 has put out a welcome mat to the development community," said Roger Liew, G2's CTO. "We've taken the mystery and complexity of connecting to all these airlines and put it behind a practical, usable and open interface."

Airlines have been leading the charge for the development of alternative distribution networks -- primarily due to the high cost they must bear to distribute through the GDS. However, high supplier-paid fees are only part of the industry's problem. Travel sellers have been compromised for many years as the GDS providers use airline paid fees and service charges to "reward" their customers for loyalty or to develop new and often competing lines of business -- failing to reinvest those monies and develop and enhance their core travel distribution product.

"I know first hand that the lack of automation and customer focused features available in today's GDS is extremely frustrating. Agencies have come to realize that simply replicating these limited capabilities is not enough for the modern traveler," added Zoghlin. "Only G2 is focused on building the unique capabilities that customers are demanding and that allow agencies to better differentiate themselves while saving dollars per ticket in service and support costs."

G2's no cost Web Services use SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and WSDL (Web Services Description Language) Web services standards so developers can program in their favorite environment -- including Java, Perl or .Net.

About G2 SwitchWorks:

G2 SwitchWorks is the next generation of travel commerce services. G2 has a singular focus: establishing efficient, reliable and integrated connections between travel suppliers and travel sellers. G2 is a privately held company that does not compete with its customers by operating an online or offline agency.

All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.


Source: G2 SwitchWorks Corp.

CONTACT: Ellen Lee, VP, Business Development of G2 SwitchWorks Corp.,
+1-312-994-9770, ellen@g2switchworks.com

Web site: http://www.g2switchworks.com/webservices
http://www.g2switchworks.com/


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