MEDIA-I: SIA spends dollars 100m to revamp web service

<p>SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) will spend Sdollars 100 million </p><p>(USdollars 55 million) over three years to develop its e-commerce </p><p>capabilities and revamp its e-commerce website. By revamping, it aims to </p><p>offer more comprehensive travel information and a flight alert service, </p><p>providing people with booking confirmations and live updates on arrivals </p><p>and departures via email and SMS wherever they are in the world. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Previously, only Singapore mobile phone subscribers could receive flight </p><p>alerts via SMS. "Our customers are on the move and they are spread </p><p>around the world," said Yap Kim Wah, SIA senior vice-president (products </p><p>and services). </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We must ensure customers can access our services wherever they are and </p><p>whichever telecommunications company they use," he added. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>People, who register with Singaporeair.com (www.singaporeair.com) can </p><p>receive alerts for up to three flights thanks to technology from US </p><p>wireless data service provider Unimobile. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Users are also encouraged to purchase plane tickets via the site and </p><p>there is information on flight schedules as well as weather reports, a </p><p>world clock and articles taken from Lonely Planet travel guides. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The airline itself plans to use the site to gather customer information </p><p>so it can tailor direct marketing campaigns by ensuring offers are </p><p>relevant to customers' needs and preferences. For example, people </p><p>interested in golf will receive information on golfing holidays. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In future, the site will be expanded so users can book flights with </p><p>partner airlines and services from third party companies in the travel </p><p>sector - hotels and rental car firms. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>There will also be maps and information on conferences, events, visa and </p><p>immigration requirements, airports, dining and entertainment. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Huang Cheng Eng, SIA executive vice president, marketing, said the site </p><p>would act as a travel assistant, providing information to help people </p><p>plan their trip. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The website, developed by CCG.XM, makes use of various devices such as </p><p>mobile phones, personal computers and personal digital assistants, he </p><p>added. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>To encourage people to use the site, the flag carrier has launched an </p><p>online promotion whereby people who book a ticket via Singaporeair.com </p><p>have the chance to win extra frequent flyer points. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>There are 800,000 KrisFlyer frequent flyer miles to be won with a top </p><p>prize of 400,000 miles. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The e-commerce development is part of the airline's Sdollars 700 million </p><p>investment in e-business, IT infrastructure, as well as its CyberCabin </p><p>initiatives. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We want to make sure the high standard of service that our customers </p><p>have come to expect on board our aircraft is matched by an equally </p><p>excellent online service, with the highest level of consistency and </p><p>reliability," explained Huang. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>