Amadeus has recently launched a new tech solution that aims to simplify corporate travel expenses. Amadeus cytric Travel and Expense is an end-to-end software platform that enables corporate employees to plan, book, submit expenses and have them reimbursed, in a single system. To top it all off, it’s mobile first, priming it for the Asia market.
At the Amadeus cytric Travel and Expense launch this week, Albert Pozo (President, Amadeus APAC) remarked that the solution would optimise both processing and costs, by connecting data from the moment a trip is requested to when it is expensed. It aims to provide a completely integrated system of services, both prior to and throughout a business trip.
“There’s no point having a policy that is addressing air, without taking into consideration all the expenses that are happening in the destination, including hotels and transfers.”
The mobile-optimised system would allow employees to compile expense reports on the go, easing the often arduous process of accounting for all costs incurred during business travel.
Pozo also emphasises that Amadeus cytric Travel and Expense is designed to keep the actual traveller in mind so that they actually enjoy using the technology. “Traveller satisfaction is going to be one of the key factors to policy adoption… we need to find ways to integrate the feedback of users and try to improve our policies. We must account for the individual experiences of people who actually use the system.”
For that, the system aims to incorporate a wealth and choice of content, drawing from GDS but also non-bookable content such as relevant user-generated reviews by colleagues, limiting the need to consult traditional external review sources. Employees would be able to seek out advice from fellow peers on the most suitable options with regards to location convenience, accessibility and quality of stay.
Frederic Saunier discussed how Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense was well-suited for corporate travel in APAC
To target APAC specifically, Amadeus has acknowledged three disruptive factors that would differentiate how the technology is developed and used within the region – LCCs, digitalisation (the way expenses are incurred and tracked), and the sharing economy (ridesharing etc. and how they are becoming part of company policy).
To address these factors, Amadeus has managed to determine profiles for different types of business travellers, for example a Singapore ‘budget luxe’ traveller – someone looking for status and comfort, but in full compliance with company travel policies.
The idiosyncrasies between different classes of ‘business traveller’ are supported by the versatility of the system as an SaaS model. It is not only customisable to different corporate policies and practices, but can be adjusted according to travel habits more typical of a particular area.
Beyond customisation, Frederic Saunier (head of corporate IT, Amadeus APAC) believes multiple methods must be used to encourage widespread adoption of the system in businesses.
“Before the technology… you need to have a clear and understandable program that is pushed and supported by the organisation [that will use it]. Secondly, the right technology [needs] to be able to make a difference – UX, mobile interface, just one app etc.”
“You [also] need the right content (GDS, internal and external content); this is key. The last point is about education. It is our responsibility as tech providers… to make sure that we support the corporation in educating the travellers and bookers to use [it].”
Such a system would not only allow more automated regulation of corporate travel expenses but would empower employees to manage their travel expenses, while keeping in full compliance with company policy.
However, one question raised was whether the fully integrated solution would ultimately replace the need for TMCs. Axel Mueller (head of global sales, corporate IT, Amadeus IT Group) reckons their distribution strategy could benefit from a bit of both direct and indirect… but in the end, it is the corporations’ choice.
“If they would like to discuss with us directly, we’d be happy to do so. Should they, for whatever reason, procure our technology from another TMC, that’s also fine for us.”
Mueller is clear than Amadeus does not see a future encroaching into the TMC space, however there are clear benefits of going with Amadeus direct.
“Indeed, there are benefits to go direct to tech providers like Amadeus, so that you can be sure you have the right technology… if you want bespoke developments, it’s much easier to do when you are in a direct relationship with the tech provider.”
