Travel management tools

Of course, contactless payment methods are not yet part of everyday business travel. But that horizon is getting closer. In the meantime, companies are working on efficient, paperless solutions. Our survey.

This week, accounting departments are facing the busiest period of the year in terms of expense reports. That, at least, is the analysis published on Tuesday by Concur, based on an analysis of Travel & Expense data from 2013. Friday 19 December is expected to see a doubling of the average daily number of claims in France and other key business travel markets. 

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) is adding a new asset for its business customers by integrating a virtual payment solution based on Conferma technology.

Edenred is making a remarkable entry into the world of business travel with the launch of Ticket Travel Pro. The new solution, unveiled on Thursday 4 September, aims to streamline business travel expenditure for small and medium-sized companies by offering them an "all-in-one" solution incorporating a payment card, a booking platform and an online expense claim management tool. All this while capitalising on Ticket Restaurant's solid image in the corporate world, and relying on dynamic players in the business travel sector, notably HCorpo, Capitaine Train and Go Voyages. Yan Mortreux, Managing Director of Business Expense Management at Edenred France, outlines this new business travel solution.

The dematerialisation of corporate payments is making tangible progress. Following in the footsteps of the corporate card, which has long been adopted by companies, the virtual card is continuing to gain ground, particularly in support of efforts to rationalise hotel expenditure. But the plastic card has not been forgotten.

American Express is adding a new asset to its technology portfolio: on 21 May, the business travel agency formalised an agreement with Sabre, enabling it to offer its TripCase business travel management tool.

The online shift has marked a turning point in the history of the major TMCs. These leading travel agencies have succeeded in adapting their organisation and their product at the cost of internal restructuring and investment in new technologies.

New technologies have changed business travel habits. Under the impetus of online agencies, traditional players are also turning to online booking. This trend has been accentuated by the "best buy" rationale, and could take on a whole new dimension if the likes of Google or Apple enter the market.

The KDS Now event held on 29 January in Paris brought together over 800 guests at the Salle Wagram to present the new features of the KDS Neo tool. On the programme: voice recognition, integration of urban transport, and above all KDS Neo Expense and KDS Neo Receipt, two new intuitive expense management tools.

Business travel agency BCD Travel has just launched its new TripSource application in the United States and Canada, with free access for TMC customers. The aim is to improve the mobile management of business travel and influence the behaviour of business travellers, in line with travel policy.

Although contactless payment has not yet reached the world of business travel, the dematerialisation of corporate payment solutions is proceeding apace. Following in the footsteps of the stored-value card, the virtual card is now making its mark, particularly for hotel expenses.

Philippe Quillien, Director of Business Travel at Selectour Afat, gives a promising overview of the network's various projects for the coming months. With the development of its online offering, a new mobile application, a 24/24 cell and the integration of the AeTM tool from Amadeus, 2014 promises to be a year full of new developments for the network, which intends to gain even more ground in the business travel market, including with key accounts. 

Lodged or virtual cards: payment solutions are inserted directly into the heart of the business travel booking process, making it easier to integrate these expenses into company management tools.

Abdelaziz Bougja is a project manager at Veolia and Chairman of the Marco Polo think tank.

Companies receive VAT refunds on expenses incurred in France. But they often neglect to do so for expenses paid abroad. But it's worth the effort.

It is possible to pay for travel expenses without using a credit card. Today it is, thanks to virtual and stored-value cards. And it will no doubt be tomorrow, with smartphones transformed into electronic wallets. By Martine Denoune