Regarding new US Airways to adopt HP's system

[Aryeh]

Does anyone out there have information regarding HP's current CRS and whether it will be capapable of handling much of what we have with SABRE?
I understand an airline's interface with SABRE can vary, depending upon what the airline wants the system to offer or not offer. I've used SABRE with other companies (airlines and agencies) and know that what many of the problems we have using SABRE have more to do with what the company decided to purchase. And, the biggest problem I've seen with agents' use, has more to do with how the company went about training the workforce. It seemed our people in training, etc., mostly had no experience in using SABRE, let alone how they chose to structure its use. For example, neverending folders and sub folders and sub-sub folders, have made it frustrating to navigate. Again, this was how our company set it up and not the system's fault. The result, despite the system being excellent, most employees haven't mastered it, and even fear it.
I've been observing HP's system and asking questions of HP agents. Seems to me, CARES, or at least how HP has set things up, can't do much.
For example, their system does weird things to ETKTS. The other day a ticket that shows "printed" in our system, showed at "exhanged" in theirs. The agent told me he printed it but it seems print in their system results in an automatic exchange! He didn't understand the distinction since its one of the same to them but not anywhere else!
Another issue is being in Star Alliance plus all our trans-Atlantic service, etc. we get a lot more international ticketing than they see. And through baggage (SIN LAX PHL). Now that they/we will be exposed to much more international tickets, awards, reissues, etc. seems their system is very limited in its availability displays. We need to view city pairs all over the world yet their system won't do it. Will this change? Also code-share flights aren't denoted with asterisks.
Bottom line is, do they realize the current limitations won't cut it once we're integrated?
Anyone heard anything on this? Thanks!!

 

[ringmaruf]

There's an article in this thread that you might like to read.

Especially relevant is this quote from an analyst:

Not everyone is so sure. "Sabre is a much more robust, sophisticated and scalable tool," says Forrester’s Harteveldt, who used to work at Continental and knows Shares intimately. "Shares is a good tool but EDS hasn’t made as much of an investment in upgrades and additional functionality. Shares doesn’t have sophisticated capabilities in the area of revenue management, which is every airline’s secret sauce. [Airlines use revenue management systems to make the right seat available to the right kind of customer at the right price at the right time to make the most money possible.] Frankly, it seems like they just said, we’ve always done it this way, and we don’t want to change it."

But not to worry, just drink the kool-aid and repeat "Tempe knows all" while clicking your heels three times. :blink:

 

[PhxMama]

Hp system is a lot cheaper to use. Probably main reason the switch will be to it. Neither system is perfect but it will be the Hp way. Just because you may prefer Hp system does not mean you drink Kool Aid.

 

[AIRWOMAN]

Hp system is a lot cheaper to use. Probably main reason the switch will be to it. Neither system is perfect but it will be the Hp way. Just because you may prefer Hp system does not mean you drink Kool Aid.

Most likely. There have been "gap analysis" sessions going on for quite a while. Whether it's SHARES or SABRE or MERLIN or SCEPTRE, etc. There has been people/users from both sides, east and west, of the programs and they are supposed to come up with the "best" for the airline. And what is "best" for one, may not be the "best" for another but........that's the way it's going.

 

[john john]

Hp system is a lot cheaper to use. Probably main reason the switch will be to it. Neither system is perfect but it will be the Hp way. Just because you may prefer Hp system does not mean you drink Kool Aid.

Cheaper is not always better US/east already went down this road with a cheap version of SABER one of Ganwall’s big mistakes. Had to upgrade costing a lot more $$$$$

 

[Boeing Boeing GONE]

One of the worst decisions the new U.S has done, have worked both systems and Shares is like an old atari while Sabre is more like a Playstation, Sabre is a perfect system for an international airline.. All about $$$

 

[ClueByFour]

But not to worry, just drink the kool-aid and repeat "Tempe knows all" while clicking your heels three times. :blink:

Which airline do you think did a better job of revenue management before the merger? US with SABRE or HP with SHARES?

 

[jimntx]

As someone who spent over 20 years in the computer industry, may I say that when it comes to business systems, the old adage that you get what you pay for applies.

 

[computer guy]

Now, I may not be a US employee, but I read an awful lot and I am an IT professional. I remember seeing a press release where Star Alliance had selected Amadeus to build a next-generation technology platform for passenger service systems for use by all Star Alliance members.

As far as I know, the Amadeus platform is just as robust as Saber.

Now without having done any type of in-depth analysis, but since this appears to be the new standard of Star Alliance, wouldn't it make sense to migrate & combine both systems to this platform immediately rather then migrate everything to Shares or Saber and then migrate everything else again later?

 

[SegmentKing]

I think that the Star Alliance also had a lot to do with the move to EDS/Shares, aka Amadeus. I'm not thrilled with Shares, having used it at Continental, and seeing their agents work beside ours... I can say that Sabre is a bit more powerful & easier to use in some aspects.

I'm going into this with an open mind towards whatever IT decides to throw our way. I just hope that they quadruple the staff at helpdesk during the changeover.

 

[tadjr]

Since I work both systems ( 6 years Sabre and 6 months QIK), I'd personally prefer to stay with Sabre, but that isnt going to happen. I know from personal experience though that they are trying to get the QIK interface to be as close to the Sabre response systems on many entries as possible. Some of the Shares entries (standby list for example) are terrible and hard to read.
We were asked and sent in about 7 pages of items that we would like to see integrated to QIK and things that just dont work. I do not know how some of the HP flights make it out with all the paperwork and entries required to get things done at times. I guess since this is the only thing most know, they think it is very good, but it could be soooo much better. Hopefully the integration team will take the best of both so neither side has a difficult time at cutover.

 

[PhxMama]

I am glad they asked for your input and you were able to list what you would like to see changed. Many of us on the HP side have done this and I cannot tell you how many times we were advised great idea but the costs dont warrant the change. I wonder if and when they will let you know how many of the changes you have suggested are being considered. Please post if and when you get a response. I realize it would be weeks or months. Regards.

 

[Dog Wonder]

The interesting part of all of this will come when they go to Sabre for ops and Shares for customer service. Who knows how well they will communicate.

 

[SCUBAgal]

Amadeus has been my favorite system to work on...followed by SABRE then SHARES. I sincerely hope that we are now going to upgrade what we have right now since it seems that SHARES is indeed what we are sticking with. I know there are a few new entries we have thanks to East employees sending in suggestions. Still- it'd be nice to see more INTL connections in our system when we need to. I can say it is now easier to check someone's bag through to some odd city in China than it used to be thanks to some upgrades. (Either that or I had an A-HA moment while I was helping someone at the ticket counter the other night! Ha ha ha...)

 

[john john]

That being the case as all indicators suggest US will remain in Star then the question becomes which system will be the easiest to migrate from in a few short years?

US full commitment to star alliance is scaring me to be in star alliance it takes money. Will LCC see it that way?