News & Analysis

The Co-operative Travel Group has awarded the contract for its front and back office systems to Vertical Systems in a deal worth £5.5 million.

The move follows the merger of Travelcare and Co-op Travel in July last year. The group will implement Vertical Systems' 'TARSC' software product over the coming months. The five year deal is expected to provide £2m worth of savings.

The Co-operative Travel Group managing director Mike Greenacre said: "As always with such a significant merger, making the right decision on such a key issue was a very difficult one. Our decision has been focused around price, ease of implementation and longer term business objectives."

Vertical Systems chief executive officer Peter Healey said: "We look forward to working with The Co-operative Travel Group not only in the roll-out of TARSC but in the long term as we look to further develop state-of-the-art technology fit for today's fast changing travel business."

The group will continue to work with Comtec - who competed against Vertical Systems for the deal -  on existing bookings until the contract ends in January 2010.