Equinus Independent Reviews 2008/09 Travel Technology Guide
Equinus Independent Supplier Review
Mach Associates
www.MachAssociates.com
Mach Associates was founded 10 years ago by Bruce Hodge, an ex-RAF Tornado pilot, which probably
explains the choice of name.
Bruce created Mach Associates to develop software that could be easily accessed from any PC with a
web browser. Early customers included NatWest and Pfizer as well as a specialist tour operator
wanting a booking system. By the year 2000, Mach was focussing on the travel industry with its MARS
reservation system for tour operators.
MARS is a comprehensive front & back-office system that caters for pre-packaged holidays as well as
dynamically built tours. There are integrated GDS links to Galileo & Amadeus and to low-cost airlines
via Multicom’s FindandBook leisure GDS. Ferries, Le Shuttle and Eurostar can also be booked using
the MARS ERS Connect module that also processes the GDS transactions. For accommodation there
are XML based links to suppliers such as Gullivers Travel Associates, HotelConnect and Travco.
Wherever there is a commercial agreement, Mach can build similar links to other accommodation
suppliers.
The MARS technology is built on proven Microsoft products, such as .Net and SQL Server 2005. Mach
is a Certified Microsoft Partner and an Executive Member of The Travel Technology Initiative.
Customers just need a web browser as Mach provides a fully hosted and managed solution. Unlike
other suppliers where the customer has to invest in servers and technical expertise to run and manage
them, Mach provides everything, leaving the customer to concentrate on doing what they do best, run a
travel business.
The fully hosted solution has an achieved availability of 99.99% and customers can choose between
shared or dedicated servers, paying a monthly fee based on booking volume. The system is fully
scalable and Mach looks after the hardware and system housekeeping and everyone has access to all
the MARS functionality, including enhancements developed for specific customers. This is an
invaluable customer benefit where everyone shares in the continuing development of the product.
MARS also includes some innovative features, such as integrated email which directs inbound emails
direct to the customer or client record. Other useful features include VOIP (Voice over IP) and task
queuing. MARS also includes a single content store of text and images
Another invaluable, or even essential, feature is Webookit, an optional module that integrates MARS
with a customer’s website. Webookit provides online availability and booking within the tour operator’s
own website or a business partner’s site. The integration is quick and very straightforward and the
customer can choose from an existing library of booking pages that work with MARS. Existing
websites don’t need to be redesigned and Webookit has built in performance reporting to track visitors
and usage. And the same content store is used for Webookit and MARS, avoiding multiple data
sources, errors and synchronisation issues.
In summary, Mach Associates is entirely focussed on the leisure travel market. MARS is a fully
featured system for tour operators and online travel agents, of any size and specialism. The
technology is proven and there are integrated links to the GDS, low cost airlines, ferry and tunnel as
well as accommodation suppliers. There are accounting interfaces for Sage and SAP and built in
productivity tools. Optional modules include Webookit and the whole solution is offered as a fully
hosted and managed package. For a small setup fee and a volume related monthly charge, customers
have access to a fully featured, single version product using a web browser from virtually anywhere in
the world. What more could one ask for?
www.equinus.com
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