Systems integrator is to overhaul travel operatorÂ’s core operational systems

Systems integrator is to overhaul travel operator’s core operational systems

Capgemini recently announced it has been awarded a three-year application services contract by the Thomas Cook Group.

The contract will cover the modernisation of Thomas Cook's core IT systems in the UK and Ireland. And it will oversee the phasing out several systems and the deployment of a new system with functionality ranging from booking to delivery.

The new system will allow the travel operator to distribute holiday packages in Ireland and the UK through several channels including websites, call centres and travel agents. It will also integrate with third-party software from hotel groups, airline and car hire companies. The first release is expected by the final quarter of 2010 with completion expected within three years.

No stranger to outsourcing

Dominique Raviart, analyst at business process outsourcing consultancy NelsonHall, commented that Thomas Cook, a former subsidiary of the now-defunct Arcandor group, had previously awarded in 2007 a 10-year $400 million (£253m) BPO and IT outsourcing contract to Accenture, which superseded an earlier contract from 2002.

“The application management services in scope in this contract included support of a range of Thomas Cook's operational back-office systems, including its SAP ERP [enterprise resource planning] platform,” she said. “The fact that this project, described as a "radical modernisation," has been awarded to Capgemini is therefore a coup for the company.”