MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the world's second-largest travel management company, has released a new version of CWT Freedom, a business travel tool that now automatically delivers its travel itinerary information to Microsoft Outlook and mobile devices such as BlackBerrys, smart phones, Palm devices and Pocket PCs. By January 2007, Freedom will also provide functionality to travelers using IBM Lotus Notes.
In addition, Freedom is now compatible with all global distribution systems (GDS), all online booking tools and with direct-connect bookings made through the CWT Symphonie platform. Freedom was originally introduced in 2002 as a Palm-compatible device for Symphonie transactions only.
According to a recent survey of 319 companies by The Yankee Group, 40 percent of today's workforce is mobile, defined as spending at least 20 percent of their time away from their primary workspace.
"Frequent business travelers are tough to impress, but judging from our current CWT Freedom users, we are giving them the convenience they are looking for," said Mike Koetting, executive vice president, CWT North America. "Business travelers are among the most mobile individuals and when they can be more productive while traveling or react immediately to changes in their schedules, their life on the road is easier and more efficient. We believe Freedom will become every traveler's essential travel companion."
Worldwide mobile subscribers exceeded two billion in 2005 and are expected to double to nearly four billion by the end of 2011, according to the Worldwide Mobile Market Forecasts, 2006-2011.
As the mobile revolution continues to accelerate, business travelers want more services, both as they prepare for trips and while they are on the go. Freedom meets this demand at the office and on the road by anticipating travelers' needs and delivering information from multiple sources in a simple format, saving travelers time and providing greater convenience.
"My BlackBerry use represents 80 percent of my communication, so I have peace of mind knowing all my trip information and confirmation numbers will be with me on the road when I go to retrieve them," said Kirt Briggs, a frequent traveler as regional manager for Boston Scientific and Freedom user.
Delivered to both desktop calendars and mobile devices, the convenient features of Freedom include:
* Flight confirmation and seat numbers * Departure and arrival times * Flight status
* Alternative flight options for day-before, day-of, and day-after travel, anticipating travelers' last-minute needs
* Rental car and/or limousine reservation details * Frequent flyer and loyalty information * Hotel information (name, address, phone and confirmation number) * Driving directions * Weather forecasts for destination * Exchange rates * Personal services, such as nearby Starbucks coffee locations Freedom Supports Business and Travel Program Objectives
The benefits of Freedom are not limited to traveler convenience; the tool also promotes employee productivity and supports a corporation's travel program by driving cost savings and traveler compliance in a number of ways. With easy access to information they need, travelers make fewer calls to agency counselors, empowering travelers and controlling agency expenses.
By eliminating the need to manually key itinerary information into calendars and by providing easy access to important information travelers may need while on the road, Freedom also saves employees time, increasing productivity and allowing them to focus on business objectives.
In addition, Freedom encourages compliance with a company's travel policy, as bookings made outside of the managed travel program do not allow travelers to benefit from the additional convenience and time savings Freedom provides. More in-program bookings translate into increased captured spend, ultimately enabling greater negotiating leverage with suppliers.
About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
