Leisure Centre Booking System - Essay Example

Leisure Center Booking System This paper encompasses a discussion regarding a proposal for a booking and reservation system at a leisure centre. This project involves two major aspects in computing, which is Databases and web publishing. The Database will hold information about members of the leisure centre, and also hold a booking system for the faculties at the centre. The Web section is where by a user can view the booking system via the Internet, and also make applications for membership. This project involves two major aspects in computing, which is Databases and web publishing. The Database will hold information about members of the leisure centre, and also hold a booking system for the facilities at the centre. The Web section is where by a user can view the booking system via the Internet, and also make applications for membership. The proposal encompasses a booking reservation system to be utilized by the staff of the leisure centre. By providing, a database that encompassed database booking will assist the staff in providing better and more efficient service to the members of the leisure centre. The centre will operate using the latest computerized operational systems and reporting. It will be able amongst other things to monitor and control, casual use, membership and bookings. (Lloyd 2005) The adopted system would be able to interface with the leisure center's recently launched Leisure Card. For purposes of this discussion, the leisure centre will be referred to as Leisure Centre X. The implementation of the booking system will utilize the latest technology that best suites the leisure centre industry. The new booking system for the staff and members of Leisure Centre X will allow members to book up to 13 days in advance but must have their membership details to hand at the time of booking. (Lloyd) Non-members can book up to six days in advance and must make payment at the time of booking. This booking system will assist Leisure Center X in establishing itself as one of the most efficient leisure Centres there is. The new booking system will help the staff facilitate members and nonmembers in the most efficient way possible. ) Ozawa 2005) Leisure Centre X can expand their booking system by interfacing with another that already exists. Since 1998, the leisure centre-booking portion of ILCA's Web site has been Powered by Pegasus(TM) and, as a result, offers its members a choice of more than 40,000 leisure centres in more than 200 countries. (Pegasus Solutions, Inc. 2004) "Over the past two years, Pegasus has successfully provided an online hotel booking service to our members using the Web," said Mike Mullany, ILCA special projects manager. "We are confident in Pegasus' abilities and have now signed a new agreement to use upgraded Web capabilities. This new service will provide our members with enhanced services such as mapping as well as access to the specially negotiated ILCA rates at many of the properties featured. We have been pleased with the amount of traffic seen so far and anticipate the new functionality driving more traffic." (Pegasus Solutions Inc. 2004) ILCA's initial contract with Pegasus allowed its members to select and book accommodations online by providing direct access to the central reservations systems (CRS) of the leisure centres represented in Pegasus' Online Distribution Database, ranging from luxurious five-star leisure centres to independent family-run properties. (Wiseth 2004) ILCA uses its connection to the Pegasus Electronic Distribution Switch to access the leisure centres' CRSs. Under the previous agreement, ILCA's online leisure centres reservation pages were hosted by Pegasus, but with the new functionality, ILCA is able to host its own booking engine and online leisure centre reservation pages. ILCA remains connected to the Pegasus Online Distribution Database and continues to use the Pegasus Electronic Distribution Switch to connect to the database and to the leisure centre CRSs. (Brophy 2004) The mapping option, which will be provided by MapQuest(TM), includes leisure centre location maps for Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (Brophy 2004) While users will not be able to search for driving directions, the maps can be used to show the location of the leisure centres. (Pegasus Solutions Inc. 2003) Gideon Dean, Pegasus Solutions' senior vice president of worldwide technology sales and account management, said, "We are pleased to further solidify our already long-term relationship with the International Leisure Centre Association. This upgrade will provide continued support to the ILCA membership, and we are pleased to help one of our customers grow their service levels." Pegasus Solutions 2004) ILCA is headquartered in London and maintains additional offices in Dallas and Hong Kong. (Wiseth 2004) The organization, which caters to the frequent international business traveler, has more than 100,000 full members in more than 200 countries and an additional 250,000 associate members. (Ozawa 2005) According to ILCA, together, these members account for more than 8 million airline passenger trips per year. The typical ILCA member is a 34-55-year-old male in a managerial or professional position in a predominantly small or medium-sized enterprise with a family. (Wiseth 2004) Members generally spend $100,000 per year on business travel and make an average of 15 business trips per year. (Brophy 2003) These same members spend two weeks per year dedicating to leisure so to have the members on a system that interfaces for booking at leisure clubs expedites the process on all ends. (Wiseth 2004) The proposed booking system will provide for more productivity from the staff. (Bropjy 2005) This is because the program will provide for the answers to many of the member's potential questions prior to booking. The system will cut down the staff to explain all of the amentias that are offered at Leisure Club x and as well the individual booking the trip will be able to select the amenities prior to the booking. (Ll0yd 2005) According to industry analyst Forrester Research, online leisure centre sales are expected to grow to $5.7 billion in 2004. (Pegasus Solutions Inc 2004) Bear Stearns' gaming and leisure research group predicts that by 2002, leisure centre bookings via the Internet will generate $3.1 billion in revenues. (Wiseth 2003) The research firm PhoCusWright reports that the fastest growing segment of consumer online travel buying is leisure centres with 51 percent of online buyers reserving leisure centre accommodations. (Brophy 2005) References Brophy, Michael. (2004) "A Highly Available Solution" Alameda Tech Lab and Research Center. Lloyd, Matthew. (2003) "The Environment Trust, London Fields User Group," Market Sports. Ozawa, Mark. (2005) "Web Site Service Companies" Integrated Hospitality Solutions. Pegasus Solutions, Inc. (2005) "Pegasus Solutions Provides Enhanced Online Hotel Booking Services to the International Leisure Centre Association. As viewed on the Worldwide Web at URL http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4008022.search'query=leisure+centre+booking+database+references Wiseth, Kelli. (2005) "Oracle Database 10g Just Got Better> Oracle Magazine. Read More