MXPA98001607A - System and method of administration of information of travel reservations in multiple divi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of consolidating at least two records of travel reservation information with at least two different currencies, generated from a locally operated computer system, comprising the steps of selecting a global currency in which to represent prices associated with each travel segment, entering into a first locally operated computer system, acquiring, in the first locally operated computer system, a first record of computer trip booking information with the price of at least one travel segment represented in a first currency from a computer reservation system (CRS), represent the price of each segment in the global currency, store information from the record of information of travel reservations by computer and the price of each segment in the global currency in a global data storage medium, enter a second computer system Locally operated operator, acquire, in the second locally operated computer system, a second record of computer trip reservation information with the price of at least one segment of travel represented in a second currency from a computer reservation system (CRS), represent the price of each segment in the second record of travel information by computer in the global currency, and store information from the second record of travel information by computer and the price of each segment to from the second record in the global currency in the glob data storage medium

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION OF INFORMATION OF TRAVEL RESERVATIONS IN MULTIPLE CURRENCIES Field Statement of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of computerized information management systems of travel reservations and, more particularly, to such a system to automatically consolidate travel reservation information that is generated in different currencies. Description of the Relevant Prior Art With the advent of a global economy and associated global competition, companies throughout the world, and particularly in the United States, are being forced to re-evaluate their corporate philosophy in the light of their competitive position. As a result, corporate downsizing and automation have occurred. However, there is one area, that of travel and entertainment ("T & E"), which is a great fate is that the largest percentage of corporate expenses for many companies, which is not being monitored as closely as other areas to achieve reduced global corporate expenses. This lack of supervision is not due to forgetfulness, but is due to the inability to access their corporate travel expenses, particularly expenses generated in foreign countries, in an efficient and accurate way with enough time to take advantage of price saving measures to develop a strategic travel policy. As the travel industry has become highly competitive, characterized by deregulation of airlines and excess capacity, travelers have been able to take advantage of tariff wars and the ability to obtain substantial discounts for pre-negotiated services and discount rates. for advance booking of travel packages including airfare, hotel and ground transportation. The incentives encourage travelers to book their travel plans well in advance of departure dates through their travel agents. However, due to the unpredictable travel demands of the international corporate traveler, advance purchases are often impractical, if not impossible. Therefore, in order to attract corporate business travelers, airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and other travel-related providers offer volume discount rates. Most of the time, volume discounts are negotiated based on the volume of trips of the preceding months or years. In this way, companies require a detailed tracking of an entity (be it an internal travel department or a travel agency) that books and issues tickets for travel arrangements. The following explanation of the travel planning process will show some of the difficulties experienced in obtaining this information. Most of the available travel reservation systems include software that allows a travel agent to acquire any travel information requested by their client using a locally operated computer system to access a computerized, remote reservation system.

("CRS"), whose functions and capabilities are well known to the technicians in the field. The CRSs provide information on the availability and price of commercial airline flights, ground transportation, and lodging, and allow the agent to reserve and hold reservations from the CRS. Once registered, reservations are kept in most CRSs until each trip has been completed. A user or agency identification number ("ID") is assigned to each locally operated computer system that is configured for connection to the CRS. An agency profile corresponding to the ID of the agency is stored in the host computer system of the CRS. The profile contains relevant information related to the agency, including data paths and security access codes. A specific type of information available that is critical to the ticketing process is the type of currency used for the ticket price. A single CRS supports both agencies and service providers (such as airlines, hotels and car rental agencies) in many countries or geopolitical entities, each of which conducts business transactions in the currency of their respective countries. countries Therefore, the agency profile contains the reporting currency for the CRS that is used when prices are reported and tickets are issued. Typically, when the CRS is accessed to register a reservation, the travel agent captures all relevant information related to the travel plan, including the traveler's name, destination, departure date, arrival date, ticket type which is being purchased (ie, non-refundable, non-transferable, etc.), the payment method, and the date of ticketing. To accelerate this process, most CRSs have much of this information stored in a customer profile so that the travel agent does not have to recapture any common information each time a reservation is made. When a reservation is registered, this information is stored in a passenger name record ("PNR"). Then, once a reservation is registered, a ticket can be generated from the CRS or other systems. In response to the need to reconcile travel agency accounting records with the information initially captured in the CRS relative to travel bookings captured by that agency, it has become a standard practice in the travel industry to make this information Travel reservation in the CRS is available for analysis once the airline ticket is issued. For example, travel information accounting systems, commonly referred to in the travel industry as back office systems, have been developed to interface with CRS information (typically sent from the CRS in the form of a registry). accounting interface ("AIR")) with a local database after a ticket is issued, so that the information can be analyzed for accounting purposes, regulatory reporting, and administration information. The rear office system MAX, developed by the assignee of the present invention, is an example of such a system. Most existing travel information accounting systems deal only with post-issuance ticket information, although some systems provide access to pre-issue ticket information. The term "pre-issuance of the ticket" refers to the time before an airline ticket is issued and the term "pre-billing" refers to the time before an invoice is issued, for example, by a reservation of rental income. car or hotel. However, the travel industry generally refers to both pre-issue ticket information and pre-billing information as pre-ticket information. All references to ticket pre-issuance information will later include both pre-issue ticket information and pre-billing information. With the increased emphasis on reducing travel costs, the need has arisen to access pre-issue ticket and pre-bill data for analysis. For example, a company can monitor reservations made by its employees to prevent excess trips. Likewise, pre-issue ticket data can be monitored to determine the number of people going to the same destination, so that a possible group rate can be negotiated by the travel agent. A system, developed by the assignee of the present invention and made in accordance with the invention disclosed in United States patent application Serial No. 08/317, 860, which is incorporated herein by reference, is such a middle office system that provides reporting capabilities using both pre-issue ticket data and post-issue ticket data. Until the development of the present invention, companies only periodically received travel reservation information stored in their back office or middle office systems of travel agencies. Typically, the information is distributed to companies via diskettes, magnetic tape or paper and delivered to companies by mail, courier or similar. There are problems with these methods of transmitting travel information. First, if the information is being transmitted in different currencies, each quantity field of an individual transaction must be converted to a common reporting currency before being evaluated. As the exchange rates vary each day, the day of the transaction and the exchange rate for that day should be considered when the conversion takes place, or the conversion information may not be representative of the money spent on the date of conversion. the transaction. In practice, an average exchange rate is used for the period of interest for currency conversion, which inherently introduces an error in the determination of travel expenses. For example, a company can use the average exchange rate for a period of thirty days. Any daily deviations from that average that can significantly impact the price of the trip are not taken into account. Second, the travel information provided to the company is never current. This is a problem, because, for example, when a report is generated on money spent on a certain airline for volume discounts negotiations, any tickets issued and paid after the transmission of travel data to the company are not they will be included in the report. If the missing information represents a considerable amount of money, the company is not using its full bargaining power in the volume discount negotiations.

Third, if the information is transmitted from different back office systems, then all information must be converted to a common format in order to evaluate the information. The conversion can be a time-consuming effort. Although the current back office and middle office systems work well for their intended purposes, they were not designed to accept multiple currency data and, thus, were not designed to handle and maintain separate data from several countries. For example, a back office system such as the rear office system MAX includes a database having a database file structure such as that shown in figures la-lf (except the tax detail files and tax detail audit shown in figure la), where each file is represented within an oval. Each file is related to another by a ratio of one to many primaries, a relation of one to a primary, a relation of one to many secondaries, or a relation of one to a secondary. Each time an AIR is received from a CRS, the data in the AIR is converted by the receiving computer and stored in a relational database that has the structure shown in figures la-lf. The data is indexed and retrieved by the transaction locator number. Since the system was not designed to receive multiple currency data, because the information in the AIRs sent from the CRS was always in the same reporting currency identified in the agency's profile, there is no means to distinguish an AIR record that has a currency of an AIR record having another currency. All data is stored in the same file, the master invoice file. As a result, data from multiple currencies would be combined, preventing the isolation of data from a currency. Another problem with the systems of a single currency or a single country is that they are not equipped to handle data in more than one language. Different countries may require different reporting languages. For example, a record that represents the reservations of a flight from New York City to Madrid generated in English would show New York as "New York". However, if the same record were generated in Spanish, then New York would be represented as "New York". The one-country system would only be able to report in only one language. Likewise, each country has an individual ticket form and an individual ticket type. For example, Canada has the transient automated ticket ("TAT"), a document of four (4) parts; The United States has the automated ticket and boarding pass ("ATB"), a single-coupon document; and most other countries have an order of miscellaneous charges ("MCO"). Obviously, none of the systems that are designed to receive data from a single currency or a single country is equipped to handle data that has different forms and types of tickets. Another problem associated with the inability of a system to handle data from multiple currencies or multiple countries is in the generation of reports. For example, countries differ in how they present address and date information. Still another problem with existing systems is the inability to retrieve data from multiple currency trips on a main or internal computer of a company, for example to form an interface with the general corporate accounting file. Compendium of the Invention A new method and system has been developed to consolidate at least two travel reservation information records, including one or more travel segments, with at least two different currencies, generated from one or more locally operated computer systems. . This method and system are particularly suitable for companies that have a considerable number of employees who make international business trips and, in this way, incur considerable costs of travel and entertainment in different currencies. In one embodiment, an operator, typically a person who needs to access consolidated information with multiple travel segments selects a global currency in which to represent the prices associated with each travel segment. Then, the same or another operator, such as a travel agent, enters a first locally operated computer system and acquires a record of computer trip reservation information with the price of at least one travel segment represented in a first currency, of a computer reservation system (CRS). When the record is received, the price of each segment is represented in the global currency and stored together with information from the record of computer trip reservation information in the global data storage medium, which preferably is a database. It is not necessary that all the information in the record be stored. If the currency in the computer travel reservation record is not the global currency, then the currency is converted before being stored in the global data storage medium. Then, a second locally operated computer system is accessed by the same or another operator, such as a travel agent, to acquire a second record of computer trip reservation information with the price of at least one travel segment in one. second currency, from the computer reservation system (CRS). The price of each segment in the second record of computer travel information is represented in the global currency and stored together with information from the second record of computer travel reservation information (may be the entire record) in the middle of global data storage. Again, if the second currency in the computer travel reservation record is not the global currency, then the second currency is converted to the global currency before being stored in the global data storage medium. The first computer system operated locally can be in a first country, the first currency being the currency of the first country, and the second computer system operated locally can be in a second country, the second currency being the currency of the second country. The term "country", as used in this application, applies to any geopolitical entity or association that issues or uses a single currency. Once the data is stored in the global data storage medium, the data can be accessed for display or generation of reports from a central operating computer, any of the locally operated computers, or any other system capable of accessing the data. global storage medium. Instead of accessing travel reservation information records from a single CRS, the records can be generated from two or more separate CRSs. Two computer systems operated locally are not necessary to put this invention into practice. A single locally operated computer system may be able to request travel information records that include prices reflected in different currencies. Therefore, once a global currency is selected in which to represent the prices associated with each trip segment, then a first record of computer trip reservation information with a price of at least one trip segment in a first currency is acquired from a computer reservation system (CRS) in the locally operated computer system. The price of each segment is represented in the global currency and stored together with information from the record of computer travel reservation information from the record of computer trip reservation information in the global data storage medium. If the currency in the computer travel reservation record is not the global currency, then the currency is converted before it is stored in the global data storage medium. Then, once a second record of computer travel reservation information is acquired with the price of at least one travel segment in a second currency from the computer reservation system (CRS), the price of each segment is represented in the global currency and stored together with the information of the second record of computer trip reservation information in the global data storage medium. Again, if the second currency in the computer travel reservation record is not the global currency, then the second currency is converted before it is stored in the global data storage medium. Also disclosed is a system for centralizing predetermined global currency travel reservation information having at least two different currencies generated from computer systems operated locally for subsequent analysis. The system includes first and second locally operated computer systems, a global data storage medium (preferably a database) and at least one computerized reservation system (CRS) accessible by the first and second locally operated computer systems, which has the ability to generate at least one travel segment and the price associated with each segment, to make reservations for a selected segment, to generate travel reservation information in response to a request by the first or second of the computer operated locally, and to detect the realization of a reservation with the price of each reserved segment. Also included are means to represent the price of each reserved segment in the predetermined global currency, means for transferring segment reservation information and the representation in the global currency of the price of each of the segments reserved for the global data storage medium, and means for storing the segment reservation information transferred and the price of each reserved segment in the global currency in the global data storage medium. If the currency in the computer travel reservation record is not the global currency, then the means to represent the currency in the global currency carry out a conversion of the registered currency to the global currency. The term "make a reservation" includes, but is not limited to booking available trips and putting on the waiting list for trips that are already reserved for all available capacity. It is also not necessary for the price information to be represented in the global currency before it is transmitted to the global data storage medium. The representation in the global currency can take place after the transmission, but before storage. The first and second locally operated computer systems can and typically are located at a remote location in the CRS and include communication mechanisms to transfer data between the systems. The communication means can be any mechanism for transmitting data such as a communications modem, telephone lines or satellites, or any other type of electronic transfer means. The first computer system operated locally can be in a first country, a first currency being the currency of the first country, and the second computer system operated locally can be in a second country, a second currency being the currency of the second country. Again, this embodiment of the invention also applies to a single locally operated computer system capable of accessing travel information records having different currencies. The information record of computer travel reservations may consist of pre-paid information or ticket information. Once data is stored in the global data storage medium, the data may be accessed for representation or generation of reports from an operating central computer, any of the locally operated computers, or any other means capable of accessing the global data storage means including, but not limited to, a system of corporate internal computer. Instead of accessing the travel reservation information record from a single CRS, the records can be generated from two separate CRS's. Also disclosed is a method to consolidate travel reservation information generated from computer systems operated locally in at least two countries. The method includes selecting a global currency in which to represent the price associated with each travel segment, enter a first computer system operated locally in a first country having a first currency of the country, access a computer reservation system (CRS) from the first computer system operated locally, generate, in the CRS, at least one travel segment for a traveler, select at least one travel segment with a price of the selected segment to make the reservation, make a reservation at that price in the CRS for each selected travel itinerary, represent the price of the travel segment in the global currency, store information relative to the reserved travel segment and the price in the global currency in the global data storage medium, enter in a second computer system operated locally in a second country having a second currency of the country, access the CRS from the second system of locally operated computer, generate, in the CRS, at least one travel segment for a traveler in the second country, select at least a second travel segment with the price of the second travel segment to make a reservation using the second computer system operated locally, make a reservation at that price in the CRS for the second trip segment, represent the price of the second trip segment in the global currency, and store information relative to the second booked trip segment and the price in the global currency in the global data storage medium. Another method is disclosed for reporting trip reservation information generated from at least one locally operated computer system and at least one computer reservation system (CRS) and stored in a global data storage medium. The method includes the steps of selecting a report format for a company that includes at least one language of the report and a global currency, storing the report format for a company in the global storage medium, including the language of the report and a global currency, enter a computer system operated locally, access a computer reservation system (CRS) from the locally operated computer system generating, in the CRS, at least one segment of travel, select at least one segment of trip, including the price of the selected segment, to make a reservation, make a reservation at the price in the CRS for each selected travel segment, represent the segment price in the global currency, store information relative to the booked trip segment and the price in the global currency in the global storage medium, access the report format for a company and the reserved, stored travel segment and the price in the global currency information in the global storage medium, and report the booked trip segment and the price information in the report format for a company. The report format for a company can also include a report address format and a report data format. The information of the report format for a company can be stored in a single file or in several files. The information record of computer travel reservations referred to above may consist of pre-paid information or boleteada information. It can also consist of all the information stored in the CRS (for example, that stored in a PNR) or may be selected information such as that transferred in an AIR. A travel segment, as referred to above, may represent any type of travel, including but not limited to air, rail, automobile, ferry and cruise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figures 1-1 show a schematic representation of the structure of a logical database design structure associated with a back office system in a single currency. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a logical flow diagram showing the overall operation of the present invention. Figure 4 is an illustration of the shape of the coarse data available in a PNR generated by a typical CRS. Figure 5 is an illustration of a representation of an AIR record including the articles selected from a PNR. Figure 6 is a schematic view of the data flow in the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7a-7d show a schematic representation of the structure of the logical database design and the associated database relationship comprising the global database of Figure 6. Description of the Preferred Forms of Realization Referring to the drawings, in Figure 2 the systems for managing consolidated travel reservation information in multiple currencies includes the global computer 10 (which in the preferred embodiment of this invention is an AS400 computer, marketed by International Business Machines), and the of global data storage 14 (which in the preferred embodiment of this invention is the AS400 relational database or the programmed equivalent in an object-oriented manner, as is well known to those skilled in the art) to store information from Travel reservations generated in at least two currencies, which in this case come from two different countries. The modem 18 is connected via land lines 30 to a remotely maintained computer system 32 and at least two systems for collecting travel reservation data 20 and 50 in two different countries. These systems can be located in travel agencies or within a company, but for purposes of illustration, the travel agency will be used. Each of systems 20 and 50 includes computer systems operated locally in travel agency 21 and 51 and optional computer systems, locally operated 23 and 53 having terminals 22 and 52, optional memory storage disks 24 and 54 for storing information of pre and post-bolete trips, optional printers 26 and 56, communications modems 28 and 58, and any other optional peripheral devices such as facsimile machines 27 and 57. The modem 28 is connected via land lines 30 to computer systems remotely maintained 32 and modem 58 is connected via fiber optic cable lines 50 and land lines 30 to a remotely maintained computer system 32. Computer system 32 includes communications interface equipment 34, computer 36, and a plurality of memory storage disks 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46, accessible through travel providers such as housing providers, provides land transport and airlines. Another optional component of this system is the operational central computer 60. This component is typically not configured to generate and reserve routes through the CRS, but is designed to access the consolidated information stored in the global database 14 for analysis, maintenance and generation of reports. The central operating computer 60 is connected to communications modems 68 for accessing the global database, the printer 66, and any other peripheral devices such as a facsimile machine. The term "connected", as it applies to this invention, means "electrically connected" and does not require physical or constant connection. Therefore, the connection can only be for a short period of time. The remote computer system 32 is a computer reservation system ("CRS"), which is well known to those skilled in the art. Typically, CRS's include a large mainframe computer, capable of processing considerably large amounts of data. The CRSs are designed to provide travel itineraries and book trips to terminals operated locally in many different countries. There are several CRS providers, including the transferee of this invention. The term "CRS" includes any system that receives, stores, processes and / or transmits information related to travel to and from another system, including, but not limited to computer reservation systems of rental cars, computer reservation systems of companies of cruises, and hotel computer reservation systems. Figure 3 shows a process for automatically transferring travel reservation information from a CRS to a global database once the reservation is boleteada in its broadest sense sketched in the form of a flowchart. This process may be modified by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the teachings of United States Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 317,860 to provide a process for automatically updating the local travel information database 24 and 54 and the global database 14 each time a PNR is created or modified in the CRS. However, for purposes of illustration, the process using boleteada information will be described. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the process is carried out essentially by means of software executed in three places. The first part of the software is installed on a computer system operated locally by the travel agent, the second part is installed on the remote CRS host computer, and the third part is installed on the global computer. The three portions of the software communicate with each other to execute a request for a proposed itinerary, make a reservation for a traveler, and store selected information in a global database 14. Regardless of the country in which the travel agency resides, when a reservation is made for a traveler, the travel agent captures the name of the traveler and the trip information, step 100. The system automatically determines if the traveler is a customer for the first time, then the agent captures identification information of the traveler about the client, step 104, such as the address, the form of payment and any special requirements of the trip and the information of the desired trip. Then the agent requests access to the CRS host to obtain itineraries, step 106. If a profile exists, then it is accessed and modified if necessary, step 107, before accessing the CRS. Each locally operated computer system that is configured for connection to the remote computer system CRS 36 is assigned an agency identification number ("ID"). An agency profile corresponding to the ID of the agency is stored in the CRS host. The profile contains all the relevant information relating to the agency, including data paths, security access codes, and the currency desired for the transaction. A specific type of information available relating to this invention is whether or not the agency requested that an accounting interface ("AIR") record be automatically generated each time the information is boiled. An AIR is a record temporarily generated by the CRS, including both traveler identification information and reservation information for boletoada travel itinerary and segment pricing information, which will be transmitted to a place, such as the agency or, in this case, the global computer 10. In this way, when the agency requests access to the CRS host, the ID of the agency is automatically sent to the CRS host to identify the locally operated computer system requesting access, step 106. Once the CRS host accesses the agency profile according to the agent ID, step 108, the CRS checks if there is a client profile, step 110. If a profile exists , then the computer accesses the profile and makes any necessary modifications, step 112. If there is no profile, then the host computer CRS creates one, step 114. Then the CRS host creates a PNR record, step 116, and develops possible itineraries, step 118, for presentation to the agent. Each itinerary is composed of individual travel segments, for example a round trip, nonstop includes two segments. The agent then selects the best itinerary and, in this way, the best segments and requests a reservation, step 120. Upon receipt of the reservation request, the CRS host then makes the reservation, step 122. If the CRS is not required to issue a ticket, step 124, then the registration is finished. Otherwise, the CRS proceeds with the issuance of the ticket. First, the ticket price is calculated in the currency specified in the agency profile, step 126. Most CRSs are updated daily with current currency exchange rates. Then, the ticket is issued, step 128. If the agency profile indicates that an AIR is requested, step 129, then the CRS prepares and transmits the AIR record and the ticket to the global computer, step 130. The AIR information is loaded into the central global computer system 10, step 134. Once the information is received, the computer determines whether the segment price in the AIR is reflected in the same currency as a predetermined global currency. If the price is in the global currency or in the global report currency, then the representation of the global report currency of the price information is loaded into a global database, step 142. The system is designed to allow a user specify at least one primary currency for storage and reporting purposes. For the purposes of this discussion, "global currency" and "primary currency" are used interchangeably. If the currency in the AIR is not the global reporting currency, then the global computer 10 determines if the exchange rate exists, step 136. If not, a new type (s) of change must be added, step 138. Otherwise, the system uses the existing types that must be updated. This step can be carried out automatically if the exchange rate is provided with a source capable of transmitting electronic data such as CRS, Reuters Telerate, or any other source of electronic exchange rates. However, it is preferable for an authorized person to capture the information manually. In addition to the sources of exchange rates mentioned above, the information is available in financial newspapers and electronic services. The received price information is converted, step 140, and loaded together with other information received in the global database 14, step 142. If the AIR option is not selected, then the CRS host immediately issues the ticket and ends the registration, step 124. In order to prepare an AIR, the CRS host scans the PNR created by the CRS, as shown in Figure 4, step 130. The host selects what PNR information is needed and reformats the data for transmission to the system. computer operated locally. The PNR can be downloaded directly to the global database. However, it is much more efficient to format the data in the host, which facilitates the download of the data in the global database. It is well known to those skilled in the art that any information selected from the PNR can be arranged in any of many ways. LikewiseIt is well known that information can be stored in any storage medium rather than in a database. It is also well known by those skilled in the art that any or all of the information in the PNR can be transferred. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the PNR information is stored in the AIR in several predetermined fields, each represented by a specific code. Figure 5 shows an example of an AIR developed from a PNR of a passenger that flies from Acapulco, Mexico to Cancun, Mexico in Mexicana de Aviación. However, each AIR will vary, depending on the trip information. In the embodiment of the invention described above, the AIR information is then downloaded into the central global computer database 14. The information can be uploaded to any database used by any database administration system, such as the relational database AS400. The process described above can be modified by any technician in the field to include improvements that make the overall system more efficient. For example, the system can be reconfigured such that a different component performs different functions. The AIR can be loaded into any storage medium, which can be accessed for subsequent processing of the data in the AIR. Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of an improved version and the preferred embodiment of this invention, where the travel agency 200 operates a locally operated computer to access the CRS 202 and the global computer 204. The information of travel reservations generated by the CRS is stored in a remote data storage medium, such as the global database 206 controlled by a remote global computer system 204. In figure 6, a travel agent in the travel agency 200 requests, make a reservation and book travel itineraries in the CRS, step 208, in the same or similar manner to the one shown in figure 3, steps 100-192. As mentioned above, this process can be modified in accordance with the teachings of United States Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 317,860 to provide pre-boiled data from CRS 208, but for discussion purposes, only The system that uses the bolted data is described. In this embodiment of the invention, an operator can select whether to issue the tickets from CRS 202, step 210, or from global computer 204, step 212. Regardless of which equipment issues the ticket, the CRS provides an AIR record to the global computer 204, which is processed, step 213, and stored in the global database 206, step 213. The global computer 204 is designed to accept, process and if necessary store information from several other sources. For example, the system is designed to accept foreign currency exchange rate information 220. This information can be received from any of the sources of the above description of Figure 3. The system is also designed to interface with suppliers. 222 and allow them to provide information on expenses, reimbursements and commissions 224 to the global database 206. The information is used for reconciliation, generation of reports and payments from suppliers. The 222 providers are then able to receive accounts payable information, 226 provider checks, from the database, such as checks for travel and expenses. The global computer 204 also accepts information relating to: payments, refunds, adjustments and returned tickets 228 of clients to the travel agency 200; cash in retail operation receipts at the point of sale of external data feed 230; and information of sale, discounts and payments of credit card service establishments 231. The global computer 204 can be programmed to accept other types of information by a technician in the field. With all the information provided by the aforementioned sources, the global computer 204 is able to issue checks in any selected language 232 and generate reports 234 for the travel agency 200 and provide information on sales, discounts and payments to card service establishments. Credit 231. Sales information and country of origin information allow global computer 204 to also generate local tax information 236 that can be used for many purposes including, but not limited to, obtaining refund of sales taxes paid in certain countries In addition to all the aforementioned features, the system shown in FIG. 6 performs all the functions of the rear office accounting system MAX currently marketed by the assignee of the present invention. These features include processing at the end of day 240, a general accounting database 242, processing and generating financial reports 248 for both administration 250 and accounting 246. The day accounting captures are also processed in 244 and downloaded in the base of general accounting data 242. The system also processes and generates reports 252 apart from the strict accounting reports for administration 250. Unlike all previous systems, the reports generated by this system include information on travel prices in a selected currency that is in real time and is accurate, and is in a preselected language using preselected date / format / separator and a preselected address format. As an AIR is generated instantaneously each time a reservation is boletoed, the information in the global database is current with respect to the actual prices represented in the selected currency at all times. The data is also maintained in the database until it is archived and purged. Therefore, reports can be generated in any computer system, such as a central operating computer that includes current information, accurate that provides a much more useful system. The process for automatically updating the global travel information database 14 (FIG. 2) each time a reservation is sent in the CRS described above uses an AIR. However, the process can be modified by a technician in the field to download any type of travel reservation information. The information can include any type of record. For example, travel reservation information in the PNR can be downloaded directly from the PNR to the global computer system upon detection of a reservation being canceled. AIR is not required. The system can also be modified to accept travel reservation information from other CRS's. Either the information must be sent in the form of an AIR or another format from another CRS recognized by the global computer system, so that any relevant information can be extracted. A portion of the database structure of the global database of the preferred embodiment of this invention, the enterprise database structure, is shown in Figures 7a-7c. This enterprise database structure design is implemented to complement the existing database file structure shown in figures la-lf. However, the same process and method (described below) can be implemented in a unique design by a person skilled in the art or implemented with a back office or middle office system in a single currency or for a single country, well known for the technicians in the matter. The global database 206 of Figure 6 is structured to include two functional portions; a portion of validation and a storage portion of travel information record. The storage portion of the travel information record comprises the files shown in figures la-lf plus the tax detail and tax detail audit files. However, before the data is stored in the database, it is validated using the information stored in the portion of the database having the structure of Figures 7a-7d. The validation portion allows the management of travel reservation data generated in multiple currencies, in multiple languages, in multiple forms of tickets, in multiple types of tickets, and in multiple date formats. Figure 7a shows all the files of the company database structure. It is intended that a "company" represent, for purposes of illustration, a geographical or operational division of an entity using this invention. For example, an international entity that needs to consolidate travel reservation information on a per country or geographic region basis would establish a company database structure for each country or geographic region. The information stored in the company database files is specific to the entity. For example, the city files include all city codes and country codes of the cities to which customers or employees travel. The country file contains a list of the full name of all the countries whose country codes exist in the cities file. As the city and country code is constant throughout the world, the global computer uses the codes instead of the city and country names to avoid spelling errors or variations in the writing of the respective name. All other files contain similar information, as follows. For example: the city type file contains codes that belong to the type of city; the payment type file contains information that identifies the type of method used to report / process within a company, such as an airline reporting company ("ARC"), bank payment plan ("BSP") or direct form of payment ("DFOP"); the state file contains the authorized postal abbreviations and the associated names for each state, province or county; and the form code files contain all the specific criteria relating to ticket forms. Tax cross reference files contain valid tax codes for each state, province or county in a country and the tax rules file contains tax rules and regulations applicable in each country. These files are accessed by the global computer 204 to determine the applicable taxes for a state, province or country, to validate tax codes, and to calculate taxes on commission income and credit card service charges through well-known processes by the technicians in the matter. The language file contains the necessary attributes to specify a desired language by country specification.

The product type file consists of the codes used to identify and classify the types of services provided. For its part, the file of types of secondary products includes information on specific types of service within a product type. The payment form file contains all the specific criteria related to the payment methods of an invoice. The food codes file contains codes and descriptions used by the airlines for each menu. The address element file contains specific data elements that define fields of a given address schema. The branch file lists all branches (including name, address, etc.) that are part of the global system along with bank accounts and pseudo-cities as shown in the branches in Figure 7d. The customer file includes information identifying customers and suppliers, such as name, address, etc. Figure 7c shows a breakdown of file information. The information stored in these files includes (from left to right) sales / sales cost accounting graphs, editing masks for quality control, quality control selections, activity summary for a customer with number and number of tickets and reimbursements per month, provider summary information, accounting chart information for each supplier and branch, and conversion information for cross-referencing information in other back office systems with the present invention. The bank file defines the bank accounts of the system. The credit card file contains credit card codes for processing of service establishments. The agent file includes all agent numbers and names and is broken down into the files shown in figure 7b that contain agent sine (codes of obligations), agent activity summary including number and number of tickets and refunds, control of quality for each agent, and conversion information for cross-referencing agency numbers from other back office systems with a unique number in the present invention. The user file contains attributes of user preferences and operation-specific characteristics, such as date formats. The address formats file contains all the address elements available for selection by the user. The exchange rate and exchange rate variance files contain all the exchange rates that may be necessary to convert the prices of travel segments to the primary reporting currency or the global currency. The currency file contains the designated primary reporting currency and any other secondary reporting currency. Once the global computer 204 receives an AIR, it accesses the currency database to determine the primary or global reporting currency. Then, compare the currency in the AIR with the global currency. If the currencies are different, then the global computer accesses the variance files of exchange rates and exchange rates (which must be updated frequently to reflect the precise exchange rate) to acquire the exchange rate to convert the currency of the AIR. to the global currency. Then, the global computer 204 stores the price in both the original and global currency in the master files of invoices and sub-files of the storage database structure shown in FIG. After step 140 of FIG. 3 is executed, the AIR is scanned to find the agency number, from which the company can be determined. Once the company is determined, then the system accesses the enterprise structure portion of the database to determine the primary or global reporting currency. Then, the conversion and storage process described in the previous paragraph is executed. Many of the fields captured in the company database structure are used for reporting purposes. For example, a company database can be established for a company in Canada, specifying that all reports are generated in French by arranging French in the language field and that all addresses are reported in the format stored in the format file. of direction. The date formats are also used to represent or report and are specified in the files of company, branch, customer and bank, depending on the hierarchy or function. In this way, when the appropriate formats are determined from the company database structure, the storage database is accessed to acquire the appropriate data that needs to be reported. The previous software was developed in RPG / 400 and CLP / 400 using object oriented techniques and bases of structured methodology. However, it will be obvious to any person skilled in the art that the aforementioned program can be developed in a different programming language using non-object oriented techniques. Even when the relational database package was used, the above database configuration can be implemented in an object-oriented database or any other type of storage medium by a person skilled in the art. All the equipment described in the previous travel booking system is readily available. The embodiments of the invention described above all use a database in the locally and globally operated computer system. However, any type of storage means can be used to store the data.

Nor is it necessary for the locally operated computer system to have databases, since all the information can be generated from the global database. Alternatively, the global database may be located at one of the locally operated computer system sites, where access is provided to the other locally operated computer systems. The term "locally" is for illustrative purposes only. For example, the central operating computer may also be located in one of the locally operated computer system sites and have access to the CRS. It is not required that the operating central computer be an isolated system or alone, although this is desirable. The systems and methods described above can be modified by a person skilled in the art to incorporate the functionality of the global computer or a global computer into a centralized processing system or service office, such as that provided by the assignee of the present invention, of so that several companies or agencies can remotely or locally access a single global computer to centralize travel reservation information in a predetermined global currency. The systems and methods described above can be modified by a person skilled in the art to interface with an internal computer system or corporate "mainframe" type to exchange information. For example, the information of the global computer in a travel agency or internal corporate travel department can be downloaded to the mainframe computer of a company to be captured in the general corporate accounting. From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to achieve all the features and objectives set forth hereinbefore, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the methods and apparatuses. It will be understood that certain characteristics and sub-combinations are useful and can be used without reference to other characteristics and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. As many possible embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from their scope, it will be understood that all the material pointed out herein or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method of consolidating at least two travel reservation information records having at least two different currencies generated from locally operated computer systems, comprising the steps of selecting a global currency, entering a first computer system operated locally, acquire, in the first computer system operated locally, a first record of travel reservation information with the price of at least one segment of travel represented in a first currency from a first computer reservation system, represent the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the global currency, storing information from the first record of travel information by computer and the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the global currency in a means of global data storage, enter a second computer system operated locally, acquir rir, in the second locally operated computer system, a second record of computer travel reservation information with the price of at least one travel segment represented in a second currency from a second computer reservation system, representing the the price of each of the at least one travel segment, in the second record of computer travel reservation information, in the global currency, and store information from the second record of computer travel reservation information and the price of each of the at least one travel segment from the second record of computer travel reservation information in the global currency in the global data storage medium. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second computer travel reservation information records contains pre-bolete information. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second computer travel reservation information records contains bolete information. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computer system operated locally is in a first country, the first currency being the currency of the first country, and the second computer system operated locally is in a second country, the second currency being the currency of the second country. The method of claim 1, wherein the global data storage medium is a database. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of accessing the global data storage medium, and generating a report using information from travel segments and converted price stored in the global data storage medium. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the report is represented in a central operating computer. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the report is printed from an operating central computer. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the price of each of the at least one travel segment associated with the first record of computer travel reservation information, in the first currency, in the middle of global data storage. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading the information stored in the global data storage medium to a corporate internal computer system. 11. A method of consolidating at least two travel reservation information records, having at least two currencies, generated from a locally operated computer system, comprising the steps of selecting a global currency, entering a computer system locally operated, acquire, in the locally operated computer system, a first record of computer travel reservation information with the price of at least one travel segment represented in a first currency from a first computer reservation system, represent the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the global currency, store information from the first record of information of computer travel reservations and the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the currency in a global data storage medium, acquire, in the locally operated computer system, a second record of computer trip reservation information with the price of at least one trip segment represented in a second currency from the system of computer reservations, represent the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the global currency, and store information from the second record of information of computer travel reservations and the second price of each of the at least one travel segment from the second information record of computer travel reservations in the global currency in the storage medium global data The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of acquiring, in the locally operated computer system, a third record of computer trip reservation information with the price of at least one trip segment represented in a currency. from a second computer reservation system, represent the price of each of the at least one segment of travel in the global currency, and store information from the third record of computer travel reservation information and the price of each of the at least one travel segment from the third record of computer travel reservation information in the global currency in the global data storage medium. 13. A system for centralizing and standardizing travel reservation information in a predetermined global currency, comprising the steps of: a first computer system operated locally, a second computer system operated locally, a global data storage medium , at least one computer reservation system accessible by the first and second locally operated computer systems that has the ability to (a) generate at least one trip segment and a price associated with each of the at least one segment, (b) ) select at least one travel segment, (c) make reservations for the selected segments, (d) generate travel reservation information in response to a request from the first and second locally operated computer systems, and (e) detect the making a reservation with the price of the reserved segment, means to represent the price of each reserved segment in the predetermined global currency rminate, whereby each price that is not in the predetermined global currency is converted into the default global currency, means for transferring reservation information from segments, and the representation in the global currency of the price of each segment reserved for the storage medium of global data, and means to store the reservation information of segments transferred and the price of each reserved segment in the global currency in the global data storage medium. The system according to claim 13, wherein the first and second locally operated computer systems are connected to the at least one computer reservation system through communication means. 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the communication means includes a communications modem and telephone lines. 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the global data storage medium includes a database. 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second locally operated computer systems access different reservation systems by computer. 18. A system for centralizing and standardizing travel reservation information in a predetermined global currency, which comprises a computer system operated locally in a country, a global data storage medium, at least one computer reservation system, accessible by the locally operated computer system, which is capable of (a) generating travel segments and prices associated with each segment, (b) making reservations for one or several selected segments, (c) generating travel reservation information in response to a request from the locally operated computer system, and (d) detecting the booking of a reservation with the price of each reserved segment, means to represent the price of each reserved segment in the predetermined global currency, whereby each price that is not in the predetermined global currency is converted to the predetermined global currency, means to transfer reservation information of segments and the representation in the global currency of the price of each segment boleteado to the storage medium of global data, and means to store the information of segment reservations transferred, and the price of each segment boleteado in the global currency in the medium of global data storage. 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the global data storage medium includes a database. 20. A method of consolidating travel reservation information, comprising the steps of selecting a global currency, entering a first computer system operated locally in a first country having a first currency of the country, accessing a reservation system per computer from the first computer system operated locally, generate, in the computer reservation system, a first travel segment for a traveler, select the first travel segment, said first travel segment having a price, make a reservation for the first travel segment at the price that is in the computer reservation system for the first travel segment, represent the price of the first reserved travel segment in the global currency, store information relative to the first reserved travel segment and the price of the first reserved travel segment in the global currency in a global database, enter a second system computer operated locally in a second country having a second currency of the country, access the computer reservation system from the second computer system operated locally, generate, in the computer reservation system, a second travel segment for the traveler, select the second trip segment, said second trip segment having a price, make a reservation for the second trip segment selected at the price that is in the reservation system by computer for the second trip segment, represent the price of the second booked travel segment in the global currency, store information relative to the second reserved travel segment and the price of the second reserved travel segment in the global currency in the global database. 21. A method of reporting travel reservation information, such information stored in a global data storage medium, comprising the steps of selecting a report format to company having a reporting language and a global currency, storing the format of reports to company in the medium of global data storage with the reporting language and the global currency, enter a locally operated computer system, access a computer reservation system from the locally operated computer system, generate, in the computer reservation system, at least one travel segment, select at least one of the generated travel segments, each of the at least one selected travel segment having a price, make a reservation for each of the selected travel segments at the price that is in the computer reservation system for each selected travel segment, represent the price of each of the selected travel segments in the global currency, store information relative to each of the booked travel segments and the price of each reserved travel segment in the global currency in the data storage medium global, access the company report format and the stored information of the reserved travel segment and the price in the global currency in the global data storage medium, and report the information of the reserved travel segment and the price in the format of reports to company. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the company report format additionally comprises a report management format and a report date format. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computer reservation system and the second computer reservation system are the same computer reservation system. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the price of each of the at least one travel segment associated with the second record of computer trip reservation information, in the second currency, in the middle of global data storage. 25. The method of claim 13, wherein the first computer system operated locally and the second computer system operated locally are the same computer system.