Hotel Online Special Report
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Galileo International and VIN.net Announce Alliance for Web-based Travel and Entertainment Expense Reporting
 
ROSEMONT, Ill., Nov. 9, 1998 -  Galileo International, Inc. (NYSE: GLC), one of the world's leading providers of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry, and Value Integrated Network (VIN.net), a supplier of integrated Internet and Web-based travel and entertainment (TE) expense reporting systems, announced an alliance to co-brand, produce and market TE reporting solutions. Under the alliance, VIN.net acquired Travelmaster(R), Galileo's TE expense reporting solution and Galileo International acquired a minority equity stake in VIN.net.

As a result of the agreement, Galileo and VIN.net will offer a broader and more complete set of TE reporting solutions to the corporate marketplace. Galileo and VIN.net are committed to offering current and prospective customers a product that best suits their TE reporting needs.

Customers can either continue to use Travelmaster or they can choose to migrate to the VIN.net product, a comprehensive expense management system based upon client server architecture. As part of the agreement, VIN.net will provide Travelmaster customers with the same high quality support they have been receiving from Galileo. The agreement is immediately effective.

"Galileo International is committed to the corporate marketplace," said Michael Foliot, senior vice president, Galileo International. "Through this alliance we're able to, directly and through our travel agency customers, offer our corporate customers very attractive TE options. These include updates to the Travelmaster product's current systems or VIN.net's own TE system along with new products we're jointly developing and marketing. The added product support, coupled with the software options, will add significant value for our corporate customers."

"The alliance with Galileo International fits our corporate strategy," said Pam Furey, chief operating officer, VIN.net. "It provides us with extensive global reach via Galileo's distribution network and leverages our introduction into many international markets through an experienced list of 'early adopter' Travelmaster customers."

The VIN.net product is built upon a flexible, yet resilient, architectural foundation that offers customers multiple implementation options. Customers can choose to have the hardware and software installed on-site, or they can opt for a turn-key service bureau set-up, where installation and management of the system are handled off-site, freeing corporate customers to focus on their core businesses. Galileo's Travelmaster customers will benefit from seamless integration with financial suppliers and corporate charge card companies and real-time automatic policy enforcement.

Working together, Galileo and VIN.net will continue to develop premium products using the best aspects of each of their systems. In addition, by combining resources in this area, both organizations expect to realize cost savings, while providing superior customer service and access to a broader customer base. 

VIN.net is headquartered in Barrington, Ill., with offices throughout the United States. A best-of-class expense management, procurement and government per diem solution provider, VIN.net offers product solutions for Fortune 50 to Fortune 2000 companies. It serves the needs of domestic and international companies in a variety of industries, including: aerospace; genetic engineering; pharmaceuticals; diesel engines; automotive manufacturing; security services and equipment; food processing and manufacturing; insurance; lumber and forest products fabricators; and telecommunications. For additional information, visit their Web site at
www.vinnet.com.

Galileo International is one of the world's leading providers of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry. The company provides travel agencies at more than 38,000 locations, as well as other subscribers, with the ability to access schedule and fare information, book reservations and issue tickets for more than 500 airlines. Galileo International also provides subscribers with information and booking capabilities covering all the major hotel chains, car rental companies and cruise lines and numerous tour operators throughout the world. Further information on Galileo International is available on its Web site: http: www.galileo.com.

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Contact:
Julie Shepherd of Galileo International, 847-518-4714; 
or Bud Marker of VIN.net,
847-382-8638
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Also See:
The Battle for Electronic Shelf Space on the Global Distribution Network / Arthur Andersen / Summer 1998
Business Travel is Expensive, But The Right Travel Agency Can Help Companies Control Costs / Nov 1998 

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