Mr. Offutt brings over 20 years of experience in information technology, IT management and travel industry dynamics to Phocuswright. He was most recently the chief architect and senior vice president for Sabre Holdings where he defined the strategy and plan to migrate from a monolithic Mainframe environment to distributed open systems and a service oriented architecture. Prior to being Sabre's chief architect, Bob founded and led Sabre Labs, a technology incubator that made Sabre the industry leader in new online products and services. Before Sabre, he spent 26 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he led the agency's information technology unit. Bob has also served on the faculty of the University of Puget Sound, George Washington University and the University of Southern California. His education includes a B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master's degree in management science from the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School.
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Bob Offutt's Areas of Research
Bob Offutt is a travel technology visionary. His vast experience and hands on leadership in travel distribution make place him firmly at the forefront of innovation in travel. In his role as editorial director of Phocuswright's Innovation Edition and a leader of The Travel Innovation Summit, Bob Offutt knows how to identify the trends, technologies and platforms that will define the future of travel.
Five (No, Six) Things That Travel Distribution Companies Must Do to Survive and/or Maximize Profitability
Category: Technology Innovation Published: July 2014 Analysts: Bob Offutt US $250The travel distribution business has been fundamentally disrupted by OTAs, metasearch companies, Internet transparency and supplier direct initiatives. With distribution dynamics changing, small...
Phocuswright and The Future of Travel Distribution: Innovation And Technology Trends 2014
Category: Technology Innovation Published: June 2014 Analysts: Bob OffuttDiscover how innovation and rapidly advancing technology are reshaping the travel distribution landscape. In this June 18, 2014 webinar deck and recording, Phocuswright analysts examine the key...
Hotel Technology: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
Category: Technology Innovation Published: May 2014 Analysts: Bob Offutt US $250The options for hoteliers to attract and retain customers using technology-based innovation have never been better. New technologies, evolving business models and heightened competition are providing...
Travel Innovation and Technology Trends: 2014 and Beyond
Category: Technology Innovation Published: May 2014 Analysts: Bob Offutt, Colie Hoffman US $500In 2014, travel companies hold the power to introduce the next generation of technology-based services. Big data, new distribution channels, social media, and a focus on customer service are redefining...
The Open Booking Effect and Its Impact on Corporate Travel
Category: Business Travel Published: April 2014 Analysts: Bob Offutt, Norm Rose US $350Managed travel 2.0 – or open booking – allows corporate travelers to book through any channel as long as they meet certain budget and policy criteria. This Analysis examines its pros and cons and...