SiteMinder launches new online distribution technology

Global hotel distribution provider SiteMinder has launched Room Distribution Exchange (RDX) – a new industry platform allowing hotel systems and online booking channels to connect directly over the web. 

Speaking at the launch of RDX at HITEC in Baltimore, SiteMinder’s Managing Director Mike Ford said; “The launch of RDX ushers in a new era for online distribution in the global hotel industry. For a long while, the same systems have dominated distribution in the hotel industry without any significant innovation to differentiate them. Every once in a while, a technology ‘game changer’ redefines the way business is done in an industry, bringing higher efficiency, lower cost and greater control. For distribution in the hotel industry, RDX is such a technology product. This is a very appropriate time to be launching RDX given the importance of online and other emerging channels for hotels around the world.” 

The cloud-based RDX allows Property Management Systems (PMS) and Central Reservation Systems (CRS) vendors, to operate their own branded distribution platforms, providing two-way connectivity to hundreds of distribution channels including OTAs, wholesalers, GDSs and social media channels.

 “It was only a matter of time before online distribution for hotels became a commodity item. Technology barriers and process complexity have hindered this until now. RDX is the first real step towards establishing online distribution as a commodity because the platform shields the PMS, CRS and hotel chain systems from the complexity inherent in connecting hundreds of disparate systems, and allows them to operate the system as their own without third parties required to facilitate the connectivity,” Ford added. 

SiteMinder said the “major winners” would be PMS and CRS vendors, hotel chains with their own CRS and booking channels wanting to gain direct access to hotel reservation systems.

By Mark Elliott, 26 June 2012, Tuesday 1:07 AM