JTB GMT's evaluation criteria for their business problems

To achieve seamless integration of JTB's inventory system with foreign agencies' front-end systems which are mostly web-sites or e-commerce sites that serve as user interfaces to travellers.

The Fiorano SOA Platform has a comprehensive Fiorano Platform which enables connection with multiple applications via bundled adaptors. Fiorano Platform connects various application systems over a number of protocols. In the Fiorano Platform, business data flows over high-speed asynchronous messaging channels, transferring at near real-time. Fiorano Platform is deployed over a distributed messaging bus architecture (in contrast to the traditional central-server), obviating bottle necks present in traditional large stack solutions all of which are central hub-based.
To define a common data schema which can be used across various agency's systems: JTBGMT decided to use the common data schema based on definitions provided by the Open Travel Alliance.
The Open Travel Alliance data schema is an XML based schema for providing data structures for electronic distribution supply chain information essentially like an EDI system for the travel industry. The Open Travel schema is used widely by airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, railways, leisure suppliers and travel agencies.
The Fiorano Platform provided functionalities for processing XML data and EDI data transformation. Further, defining data structures as Web Service interfaces can be done easily with minimal manual work.
Agility through Business Process Automation: A business process on the Fiorano SOA Platform consists of multiple components linked together via message-flows composed graphically. Distinct from process description methods (typically BPEL), there is no control or intervention by any process engine (such as a BPEL engine) running on a central server. Business processes built on the Fiorano Platform are choreography of distributed components linked via asynchronous message-flow chains allowing for easier deployment, modification/changes and scalability.

JTB GMT's Business Requirements

Faster Time to Market: Web Service standards are used to provide a common interface to various external systems. The Fiorano Platform exposes developed business processes as a service with the SOAP protocol, without coding or definitions. WSDL definitions are generated automatically, freeing up developers from complicated and time-consuming work and enabling faster time to market.

Flexibility in Responding to Dynamic Business Variables: The Fiorano Platform is based on asynchronous messaging which provides loose coupling of systems. This means that mediation functions, such as data transformation, recording data into database etc. can be inserted flexibly into business processes as required. The Fiorano Database adapter bundled with the Fiorano Platform supports most relational database products on the market and has strong SQL statement creation capabilities.