SYSTEM TUTORIAL
Travel Course Description | Travel Course Pricing
After receiving a User ID and Password, you will need to Log In. Depending upon which web site you are using, you will log in from the section called Log In or System Access.
Every user must have a valid User ID and Password. There is no "guest" or "anonymous" User ID.
The process of logging in is simple:
Screen shot 1 - A typical log in screen
A User ID consists of 5 or 6 digits and the Password is a random string of characters.
Your User ID must be entered in the first field and your Password in the second field. The Password
will appear as asterisks (*) when you type.
When the first two fields contain the correct data, the "Log in" button should be pressed. The system will figure out the best place for you to start. If you have used the system at least once before, the system will pick the place from where you last logged off. If you are using the system for the first time, the system will pick the first lesson of the first course for which you are registered.
A minute or so after pressing the Log In button, a new window will appear on top of your web browser.
This is the Online Interactive user interface. Advance to the next frame to see what it looks like.
The VIASINC Online Interactive user interface has been designed to present the training material as a series of frames. You navigate between frames by pressing the buttons marked with arrows.
Screen shot 2 - The VIASINC Online Interactive user interface
As you move through the frames, GDS entries and concepts are introduced and explained.
Screen shot 3 - GDS entries
The above screen shot illustrates the manner in which GDS entries are explained. You learn the purpose, format, and concept of the entry. A colourful graph is used to illustrate the format.
After several frames of explanation, you are given a chance to make the entry yourself.
Screen shot 4 - The emulator window
GDS entries are made in the emulator window. The emulator window comprises the top half of the screen. The bottom half of the screen is called the lesson window.
After you type a GDS entry and press the ENTER key, the system responds in the same way as a real GDS.
Screen shot 5 - The emulator responds
The above screen shot illustrates an emulated GDS response. Every entry you make elicits an emulated response. This is one of the features that makes VIASINC special. As you work your way through it, you feel as though you are using a real GDS.
When viewing a response for the first time, every part of it is explained. This is a critical aspect of GDS training. Not only must you understand the entries, but you must understand the responses as well.
Screen shot 6 - GDS response explained
The above screen shot illustrates how GDS responses are highlighted and explained.
VIASINC courses have several types of modules: lessons, drills, exercises, quizzes, and tests.
So far we have discussed only lesson modules. We shift gears on the next frame by discussing an exercise module.
Screen shot 7 - An exercise module
Every exercise module has five problems like the one illustrated above. Your job is to read the problem text describing a hypothetical travel scenario and make all the entries necessary to create a reservation or gather information for the hypothetical clients. These exercises simulate closely what it's like to work in a travel agency or airline reservation office.
We shift gears again on the next frame by discussing a quiz module.
Screen shot 8 - A quiz module
You will encounter a quiz every four to six lessons. These quizzes provide not only a means of testing your comprehension of the material, but provide additional hands-on practice in making GDS entries and receiving responses. Even in a quiz, the VIASINC experience feels like a real GDS.
The next frame will illustrate the most striking feature of all: the freeform emulator.
Screen shot 9 - The freeform emulator
The freeform emulator turns your computer into a simulated GDS.
As you work from a typewritten handout or your own imagination, you will make entries to construct complete PNR's (passenger name records) that include flight reservations, rental car bookings, hotel bookings, special meal requests, an so on.
It matters not the order in which you build the PNR's. You may book the flights first and enter the passenger data second. Or, you may enter the passenger data first and book the flights second.
When you complete a PNR, you must END the transaction. At that time, your PNR will be checked for completeness. If the PNR is missing any of the five basic elements, or has any date, time, or segment continuity discrepancies, the computer will tell you. If the PNR is accurate, you will receive the usual END transaction response.
After completing one PNR, you may create another. This process may be repeated indefinitely. When you
wish to exit this mode, simply use the dialog box that is illustrated on the next frame.
Screen shot 10 - The "Open New Module" dialog box
The VIASINC Online Interactive user interface makes navigation a snap. To open a different module,
start by pressing the button as illustrated above. Next, select a course, module type, and module number
from the dialog box. Finally, click the "OK" button.
Screen shot 11 - Exiting
To end a training session and return control to your web browser, simply press the button with the door on it.
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