Real-time inventory updates in GDS systems

Achieving real-time inventory updates in GDS systems

Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are vital to link travel providers to agents and platforms around the world.

Achieving real-time inventory updates within this palpitating network of systems represents a headache of nightmare proportions.

Synchronising databases and managing data flow, while maintaining accuracy, contribute to the inherent difficulties in showing real-time inventory updates, or what we say in layman’s terms – the best deal for customers.

Airlines, hotels, car rentals and other providers operate on different systems, database structure and data formats. This alone is a considerable hurdle.

Added to that, real-time inventory updates need swift and seamless data transmission between travel providers and GDS. The reality is, delays in data transmission do occur – network constraints, system down times, or tardiness in updating info at source all contribute. This means travel providers (therefore customers) don’t always get to see the latest inventory.

Maintaining consistent and accurate data across all systems within GDS is a formidable task. Fluctuations in demand, abrupt changes in availability and provider updates can occur in rapid succession. Sophisticated synchronisation mechanisms in the GDS are needed to avoid mis-matches.

Many travel providers also operate on legacy systems that have problems achieving real-time interactions. Integrating these systems with advanced requirements of modern GDS platforms is a challenge. The technological gap between legacy and modern systems adds further complexity to achieving real-time updates.

GDS handles an immense volume of transactions every day, including bookings, cancellations and changes. Processing such data in real-time, plus maintaining system performance and responsiveness is a major technical challenge.

In addition, GDS must continue to ensure the integrity of sensitive customer data.

Overcoming these hurdles poses many technical, logistic and operational challenges. Continuous innovation, investing in advanced tech and collaboration between travel providers and GDS can, however, create an ideal travel distribution eco-system that is a winner for providers and customers alike.

At Journey Mentor, our range of products and services integrate both GDS and global New Distribution Capability (NDC) plus local content in one unified platform that speedily and seamlessly enables effective real-time inventory updates.