Businessweek

Triton Distribution Systems, Inc., a development stage company, engages in Web-based travel services distribution business. The company engages in the electronic distribution of travel inventory from travel sellers to travel agencies and their clients. It operates as a vendor to travel agents through its business-to-business (B2B) Web-based distribution system. The company’s target travel sellers include airlines, including air consolidators that purchase bulk seats on major carriers and resell air travel at reduced pricing; property management vendors and suppliers, such as hotel chains, independent hotels, resorts, vacation lodgings, and bed and breakfasts; car rental agencies; tour operators, such as bus tours, expeditions, walking tours and adventure packages; cruise lines providing global sailing trips, scenic or specialty cruises within a region, and special custom cruises; and local transportation service providers, such as limousines, shuttles, ferries, and other local modes of transportation typically needed by travelers. Its target travel buyers are travel agencies worldwide. It primarily focuses on travel agencies in southeast Asia and China. Products The company's products and service offerings can be divided into three categories: B2B products, portal products, and Web services. B2B Products The company’s principal B2B product offerings would consist of ReservationExpert, CruiseExpert, and TourExpert. These proprietary products have the ability to translate various command languages of the travel-based Global Distribution Systems companies (GDSs) into one common command language for travel procurement agents. These products support B2B e-commerce, including agent-based activities for booking travel, as well as back office functions associated with the operation of a travel agency. The company has developed a suite of point-and-click Internet-based B2B products for travel industry professionals (travel agencies, home-based agents and corporate travel departments) to access GDSs and to facilitate direct connections with travel sellers so they can, make travel arrangements and sell travel products and services to end customers. Portal Products The company’s portal products would support consumer-oriented portals linking Internet customers with travel sellers. In the Internet age, portals link buyers and suppliers. To address this, the company positions three core products as ‘e-enablers’: ResLink, CruiseLink, and TourLink. These products allow customers to book travel and travel-related activities through a subscriber agency's Web site directly from the Internet. Where applicable, these products are promoted for customizations and private-labeled for its subscribers. This solution allows subscribers to maintain their individual corporate or agency identity while providing their customers the convenience of Internet access for travel research and/or booking activities under the company’s or the agency's banner. The company would also market its XML Gateway as a generic portal e-enabling product. The XML Gateway provides customers the ability to establish communication links between their Web site and systems that exchange data, such as a GDS or other major system repository. The XML Gateway supports translation of these disparate data elements such that each system can exchange data with its counterpart. Web Services The company intends to offer Web Services which would enable and drive the new generation of Internet-based applications. These services support application-to-application Internet communication, that is, applications at different network locations can be integrated to function as if they were part of a system. Web Services, such as travel inventory warehouse services, provide travel sellers and suppliers a distribution channel through travel agents and Internet users. The company’s Tritontwist program assists travel sellers of travel-related inventory in storing and managing their travel merchandise. It also allows buyers to peruse and purchase this inventory. Tritontwist is designed to be the common focal point from which buyers and travel sellers of travel-related products meet to consummate a travel transaction. Other Products The company would offer Tritontwist to its subscriber base of travel agencies and other customers. Tritontwist is the platform the company would use to offer direct-connect to travel suppliers, such as airlines, and to consolidate the fragmented travel and entertainment inventory that is not available through GDSs. Significant Events In February 2011, Triton Distribution Systems, Inc. signed a definitive and binding joint venture and strategic alliance agreement with GEO, Inc. Triton would own 50% equity of the joint venture and the right to appoint majority management personnel to manage the joint venture. This investment is agreed and accepted by Universal Holdings of Beijing, China. Competition The company's competitors include Web and main frame based providers, such as Sabre Inc., wholly-owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation; Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A.; Galileo International Inc., owned by Cendant Corporation; Worldspan, L.P; Abacus; and G2Switchworks. It also competes with B2B competitors, including Datalex; TRX Technology Services; GetThere.com; Journey; and Genesis. The company also competes with Web based travel agencies, such as Travelocity; Expedia; Priceline; Orbitz; and WorldRes. History Triton Distribution Systems, Inc. was founded in 2006.