American Express Global Business Travel strengthens its technology position with the acquisition of KDS
American Express GBT has signed an agreement to incorporate KDS, a leading provider of end-to-end travel technology solutions with a solid reputation for innovation. Headquartered in France, KDS also has operations in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
The acquisition of KDS, which will close in the fourth quarter of this year, is part of a broad investment strategy by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) to develop a suite of online and digital services aimed at the business traveler.
The flagship product of KDS is Neo. Its latest version, released in July 2016, combines all the functionality of an online booking tool (multi-stage, offline and group bookings, report generation and reporting, etc.
);reporting…) with door-to-door solutions, one-click booking and a mobile travel app, all unified in a single consumer interface.
This fully interactive platform leads to high online adoption rate rates and a very neat, easy-to-read content in the budget information part as well as in the policy alignment.
The acquisition of KDS shows GBT's commitment, since two years ago and after the creation of the global joint venture (GBT), to have the best product and technology solutions globally.
GBT has increased its focus on digital tools for the business traveler, including the recent launch of a own mobile app, and acquisitions such as SMT, in order to expand its footprint and reach around the world.
Founded in 1994, KDS has spent more than 20 years innovating end-to-end travel solutions, developing award-winning, cloud-based solutions geared toward today's modern business traveler.
According to Luis Dupuy de Lôme, general manager for Spain at American Express Global Business Travel: “The formal confirmation of the acquisition of KDS by GBT is, without a doubt, excellent news that is, moreover, completely aligned with the company's strategy;s strategy, in the last few years, to be at the forefront of digital solutions and online tools.