ECS Process

Each day, the agency’s PNRs are placed on a GDS queue within a central agency GDS pseudo city. Each evening, the queue is accessed via the ECS mid-office application “SNAP SHOT”. This is accomplished by signing into the respective GDS’ using an agency provided sign-in and pass code. The agency queue is accessed using a GDS selective display format, which displays only the elements of the PNR to be stored for the purposes of hotel commission tracking, reconciliation and invoicing/dunning.

At this point, data pertaining to hotel segments are recorded and are stored in a SQL Server database located at ECS’ co-location network facility at Latisys Data Center in Irvine, CA until the reservation matures; meaning that the hotel stay has occurred and is now past the check in date.

Additionally, weekly we establish a file handoff of data for hotel bookings that have matured in the previous week is requested in a specific SQL View and transmitted via SSL using our proprietary “Autolink” application and in turn stored in our database. This application received the interfaced record data into a file and handed off via an FTP Site for the first pass reconciliation.

Bookings are then electronically imported into the ECS Central Application database. These bookings are typically retrieved by accessing a secured FTP site designated by the agency. Agencies typically receive commission payments and forward a copy or file of these payments to ECS. They include in Electronic data files from DELL/Perot (TACS), Marriott, InterContinental Group, NPC/ Bank of America, World Processing Systems (WPS) as well as manual hardcopy checks. Images of these payment instruments are scanned and forwarded to ECS electronically. Payments are processed into the Data Entry server where the batches are audited and verified for accuracy and reconciled. The payments are then sent to the Applications DB for reconcilement to the bookings and collections/recovery processing. Information is then forwarded to the reporting server for analysis and reporting back to the agency.

The recovery process is the means where inquiries are made to each property regarding the status of the file and payment of outstanding commissions. These inquiries can be in the form of an electronic invoice, e-mail, fax, letter, or phone call. The responses of these inquires are recorded into the system for reporting back to the agency.