Amex: Full Speed on Travel Network
Corporations may be cutting back on travel budgets, but that hasnt stopped American Express Co. from investing in technology for travel customers.
The No. 7 company on eWeeks 2000 FastTrack list of e-business innovators is building a high-speed proprietary data network, called TravelBahn, to give travel agents direct access to reservations databases and travel inventory systems.
TravelBahn will allow American Express to create and host proprietary databases of customer information, including travel profiles, company policies and negotiated rates.
American Express has installed TravelBahn in about half its networks in the United States and will finish its stateside deployment this year. The network will extend globally next year.
FedEx Speeds Overseas Shipping
FedEx Corp., no. 5 on eWeeks FastTrack 500 list last year, is trying to deliver international shipments more quickly by reducing time delays caused by paperwork needed for customs clearance and other processes.
The company, based in Memphis, Tenn., announced last month it has installed 500 imaging systems that scan and capture paper-based documentation and make it available through the Web to employees and customers.
The systems consist of document scanners from Bell & Howell Co., along with VirtualReScan imaging software and Adrenaline imaging optimization hardware from Kofax Image Products.