Sabre Introduces Fully Graphical Version of Red Workspace

Sabre Travel Network introduced its new graphical view in Sabre Red Workspace, which it is beta testing with 50 travel agencies around the world.

General release of the new version is slated for later this year.

The new workflow allows agents to shop and book air, hotel and car in a fully graphical format using fewer keystrokes. The graphical view can be navigated using the keyboard, a mouse or both.

Agents can toggle back and forth between the new view and the “green screen” (which in Sabre’s case is actually blue) if they wish to use cryptic commands. They also can use traditional commands within the graphical view.

Sabre said the new workflow reduces training time for new agents from six weeks to two weeks.

Enhanced options
Agents can shop for air travel options using flexible dates (plus/minus three days), and they can e-mail travel options to clients during the shopping process.

They also can set search criteria to include bag fees, seat selection and other extras to compare “real” flight costs.

The map-based hotel shopping path enables agents to search by ZIP code, address, neighborhood or point of interest. Clicking on the map provides more information and the ability to make a reservation with prepopulated customer information and dates.

For merchandising, a graphical view makes it easier for agents to shop ancillaries and air extras.