Mercator acquires next generation tikAERO to serve hybrid, regional and low-cost airlines
Integration with Mercator's airline expertise, product portfolio and financial backing offers an exciting alternative for commercial airlines
Dubai, U.A.E., 15th June 2010: Mercator, the IT solutions provider of the Emirates Group and a global leader in business technology solutions for the airline and transportation industry, has today acquired the tikAERO passenger services system solution through TIK Systems. With this acquisition Mercator will now offer world-class, fully functional, flexible and cost effective passenger service and distribution solutions to hybrid, regional, low-cost and start-up airlines worldwide. Unlike other products on the market, the innovative tikAERO system is built on latest technology systems architectures using Microsoft Technologies, thereby enabling easy configuration, fast multi-language user interface changes and simplified end user training and support. The true essence of the product is its ability to evolve with ever-changing business models, markets and passenger demands of any growing airline. Patrick Naef, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Group IT, stated: "Currently used by 19 airlines around the globe, tikAERO is better, smarter, faster and more efficient than anything on the market. It's built by staff with airline experience, for airlines. It will help airlines to significantly lower costs by minimising distribution costs, increase their efficiency and lower training efforts. In today's market where airlines are posting significant losses, this product offers enticing rewards for cutting costs, increasing flexibility and improving long term economic efficiencies and overall net profits." Roland Heller, Managing Director of TIK Systems explains: "This acquisition by Mercator will prove a winning formula for airlines seeking a competitive, cost-effective and integrated turn-key solution that includes electronic ticketing and which supports a wide range of distribution channels. tikAERO customers will have an added value through Mercator's global reach and cutting edge technology and now with the backing of the Emirates Group, our team is really excited that the hard work and the full potential of the system will be realised". Patrick Naef added: "This is a really exciting moment for the history of Mercator with our first major acquisition. Our current passenger services portfolio, Jupiter, is rapidly creating a reputation for being one of the most complete and integrated solutions in the market for medium to large network carriers. With the acquisition of tikAERO, we are now able to address a whole new segment of the market. We can manage the needs of an entire airline community covering all shapes, sizes and business models. This strategic move underpins Emirates Group's commitment to further grow the Mercator business and to strengthen its position as one of the leading IT solution providers for the travel and transportation industry". "Unlike legacy system implementations, we can offer a faster and more efficient implementation and customisation process providing cost benefits in terms of lower implementation fees and lower internal project-related costs for the carrier", said Naef.
With Mercator's already expansive global reach, wide range of consulting services and the ability to integrate existing products such as SkyChain air cargo management, RAPID revenue accounting and CRIS frequent flyer solution, this acquisition offers a unique choice of solutions and services across the airline industry.
The package includes a modern end-to-end customer-centric airline management solution, including web booking engines for consumers, travel agencies, corporate accounts and mobile devices, as well as connectivity with all major Global Distribution Systems. The system is fully IATA e-ticketing compliant, but can be equally adopted by non-IATA 'ticketless' low-cost airlines, therefore combining the best of distribution worlds.
tikAERO integrates key functionality to efficiently manage airline passenger services. This includes applications for inventory management, multi-channel reservation, yield and revenue management, departure control, weight and balance, electronic ticketing, revenue accounting, code-share, interlining, crew management, flight control and real-time reporting to monitor business operations.
It has been specifically designed to suit hybrid environments and can be deployed much easier and faster than legacy passenger service solutions. Hybrid functionality refers to an increasing sector of the airline market that is moving from a pure low-cost model to a model where there is limited distribution through global distribution systems, interline partnership agreements with airlines and the use of industry ticketing standards defined by the airline trade body IATA.
This announcement follows the Emirates Group's recent posting of record profits for the 2009-10 period, up 248% from the previous year to AED 4.2 billion (US$ 1.1 billion). It is a strategic acquisition in direct response to need for a fully integrated, long-term passenger service solution that can be tailored specifically to any airline's requirements.
Mercator will establish a new office in Bangkok to which all TIK Systems' staff will transfer. This office will provide a new base for Mercator's product development.
About Mercator
Mercator is a global provider of business technology solutions, delivering business transformation, process improvement and return on investment to more than 100 customers in five continents. The company also meets and satisfies the full range of the demanding IT needs of the main constituent parts of the Emirates Group - the award winning Emirates Airline and Dnata, the largest air travel services organisation in the Middle East. Launched in October 1995, Mercator has witnessed a meteoric rise from a start-up initiative to global player in just a few short years. Now a fully fledged worldwide provider of airline and airport solutions, it boasts contracts in five continents.
Mercator's customers include major airlines such as AeroMexico, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Qantas, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan, Swiss International Airline, Groupo TACA and Westjet.
Through Mercator's vast experience in serving the IT requirements of these major organisations, it has developed an extensive portfolio of products encompassing airline financial solutions, air cargo and logistics solutions, passenger and airport solutions,
airline business process outsourcing and airline business consultancy. Mercator's continuing mission is to establish itself as the professional IT services and business solutions provider of choice; trusted, valued and respected by the global airline community and commercial businesses in the Middle East. Mercator achieves this by consistently meeting the individual needs of its customers through quality of product, service and delivery. The secret of Mercator's success lies in its dedication to providing quality products with the added-value features demanded by today's airlines, while backing them up with excellent customer service. The philosophy behind the development of these solutions ensures that each product adds significant value to customers by reducing costs, improving processes and increasing productivity. Mercator employs more than 1,500 staff around the world. Furthermore, strategic alliances with other international airline IT companies continue to help Mercator in its ambitious growth plans. www.mercator.com
About TIK Systems
TIK Systems is an IT solution and service providers for the airline and travel and transportation industries. The company, TIK Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., was founded in Bangkok, Thailand in 1995 to provide software development, mainly in passenger service arena, for Swissair, Crossair and Austrian Airlines.
Over the years, TIK Systems has expanded its business operations into other markets by joining forces with companies in Europe and North America to serve a growing worldwide customer base. TIK Systems has grown from a small start-up to a well-established company ready to provide excellent services to our customers. TIK Systems is CMM Level 2 certified and has an experienced team of engineers and consultants. Its service areas cover airline, travel and transportation, corporate travel, as well as the air cargo industry. TIK Systems also has business and support operations in Switzerland, the USA, Bolivia and Indonesia. Media contact: Helen Ward, P R Manager, Emirates Group Corporate Communications.
Direct line: +9714 708 2144. Mobile: +971 50 950 8152
E-mail: helen.ward@emirates.com Visit: www.ekgroup.com/mediacentre
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PrimAir selects TIK Systems for its Passenger Services Solution
TIK Systems continues to expand its products and services to the US Market. TIK Systems is pleased to announce that PrimAir - an upcoming business indirect air carrier based in Cambridge, Massachusetts has selected TIK Systems' tikAERO as its reservation and distribution passenger services solution. PrimAir chose TIK Systems due to its ability to fully support PrimAir's unique business model. "We are excited to assist PrimAir in their distribution utilizing direct sell through consumer and agency web sites as well as via multiple GDS channels and to provide them with a more customized, tailored look and feel to sustain their innovative and unique operation." stated Roland Heller, Managing Director of TIK Systems. PrimAir is evolving the traditional corporate shuttle model to fit the cost and service needs of a wider variety of companies and travel programs. By partnering with TIK Systems, PrimAir is building new corporate air shuttle systems to both large and small companies reach their locations faster, more reliably, and with less expense. Carla Domingues, Director of Sales for TIK Systems states, "TIK Systems continues to boost its strength in the Americas with the addition of PrimAir as one of its partnering clients; we team up with the best of the industry and have forged a packaged solution to provide PrimAir with the best options available with tikAERO". TIK Systems specializes in the development of leading passenger services and management solutions: offering a range of travel technology solutions including inventory, reservation, reporting, departure control, Internet booking engines, IATA e-ticketing, GDS distribution, weight and balance and crew and operations management. tikAERO offer the world's first true low cost core reservation and sales distribution system for hybrid, low cost and regional airlines worldwide. About TIK Systems: www.tiksystems.com
About PrimAir: www.flyprimair.com
For more information please contact: marketing@tiksystems.com
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Latest release of tikAERO
TIK Systems is proud to announce their latest release of tikAERO 2.2.0220 which is part of its current yearly roll out of releases, including an average of 3 to 4 system releases a year with updates and new functions available to all of its current customers. "We are doing something for our airlines that has not been done in the airline industry. We give all of our airlines current and constant updates and enhancements that enable them to keep up with the demands and changes of their current operations while maximizing the system to its full capacity." States Roland Heller, Managing Director of TIK Systems. In the newest tikAERO 2.2.0220 release, the system has full multi-language user interface, integrated crew/operations management with tikAERO Crew and Operations Management, integration with tikAERO Weight and Balance, more flexible inventory management, specialized services for US Carriers with DOT regulation reporting and many other updates to make the system more flexible and user friendly to a variety of different scenarios and choices. "Adding full integration with tikAERO Crew and Operations Management along with tikAERO Weight & Balance gives our airlines a wider base to operate from and allows them to make best use of their resources." States Thomas Jaeger, Director of Product Management for TIK Systems. TIK Systems specializes in the development of leading passenger services and management solutions: offering a range of travel technology solutions including inventory, reservation, reporting, departure control, Internet booking engines, IATA e-ticketing, GDS distribution, weight and balance, crew and operations management. tikAERO offer the world's first true low cost core reservation and sales distribution system for hybrid, low cost and regional airlines worldwide.
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