For Immediate Release:

ACTE Moves Forward On Open Data Standards

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives has made the development of international open data standards a priority for the Year 2000. According to a statement issued by association President Earl Foster, the international development and acceptance of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) are the first critical steps in adopting new standards for communicating and reporting in the business travel management profession.

"The business travel management profession has been seeking a system of standardization for years," said Foster. "We have now reached a point where the technology and the absolute need to address this challenge have come together."

This new level of standardization would allow a seamless interchange of information over the Internet by creating data identifiers in a new computer language-eXtensible Markup Language. The industry-wide development of a uniform interface standard would generate additional applications linking suppliers, intermediaries, and consumers, make a multi-channel distribution strategy feasible, and be the logical progression in the evolution of e-commerce-while eliminating the duplication of effort. Standardization of this nature would provide a link between the disparate computer systems of the airlines and offer travelers the benefits of being recognized by each system they are likely to encounter on a trip.

ACTE's initiative would entail several steps, the first of which would include educating the membership on the finer points of XML.

"Our Global æ99 Conference program offers an interactive panel presentation focusing on the potential of XML," said Foster. "Participants will get a firsthand look at the protocols of the new language, its potential benefits, and its impact on agencies, fees, and distribution systems." This seminar is likely to be incorporated in other ACTE educational programs and business travel forums throughout the year.

ACTE's president is recommending the association form an open data task force to study the "big picture" challenge of setting new industry standards, and to advise the organization's leadership on ancillary action to follow.

"Some of the most advanced thinkers in the business travel management industry-with a long list of accomplishments to their collective credit-are members of ACTE's Technology and Education Committees," said Foster. "Who could be better qualified than these professionals to represent our interests in this evolving development?"

Finally, ACTE is willing to work jointly with any other association or organization to expedite progress while minimizing the duplication of efforts.

"This is an opportunity for all facets of the business travel industry to create a mutually beneficial information conduit to serve corporations, suppliers, and travelers well into the next century," said Foster. "ACTE is prepared to join forces with any other industry entity in making new standards a reality. Our approach to developing open data standards must include a workable solution for Asia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, South America and the United States. This is a tall order in itself, but one that needs to be incorporated into any solution if it is to serve the global business travel profession."