Corporate Travel Technology Is Beginning to Outpace Consumer Travel Platforms

Compliance, cost visibility, traveler support and evolving distribution capabilities are reshaping technology requirements for TMCs.

Corporate travel technology is advancing quickly as travel management companies (TMCs) meet needs that go far beyond the booking experience. Consumer travel platforms are generally designed around the ease of search, comparison and booking, but corporate travel technology must operate in a much more complex environment of company policies, traveler support, cost management, reporting and changing airline distribution models. Technology architecture is increasingly important for TMCs and other businesses that support managed travel programs, says JR Technologies. The upshot is a corporate travel environment where the quality of the technology is measured not just on the ease with which a traveler can make a booking, but also on how well the platform can support the wider processes around that trip. Corporate Travel Technology Needs Corporate booking is seldom simply a transaction between a traveler and a supplier. Companies want greater visibility and control over the booking and management of travel. TMCs, however, require technology that can serve travelers and at the same time meet the operational needs of their corporate clients. This is a different priority than what is often associated with consumer travel platforms. Booking functionality remains key, but corporate travel technology needs to support the broader relationship between the traveler, the TMC and the organization paying for the trip more and more. This includes managing evolving travel needs, supporting travelers post booking and providing businesses with the right operational and financial visibility. Corporate bookings are also transforming airline distribution. Changes in airline distribution are adding one more dimension to the corporate travel technology environment. With airlines evolving their distribution strategies, TMCs need to think about integrating various airline content sources into the corporate booking flow. This wider transition includes NDC. For corporate travel businesses, however, the goal is more than just another source of airline inventory. New distribution capabilities need to operate in an environment where travelers themselves may also have corporate travel policies, service requirements and specific commercial arrangements. “This makes integration a key part of the technology strategy.” JR Technologies’ Thomalex technology portfolio includes solutions for various segments of the travel industry, including travel management companies and airline distribution. With distribution changing, TMC technology needs to balance access to travel content and the practicalities of managed corporate travel. Cost visibility is getting more important. Corporate travel programs also face challenges in providing greater visibility into travel spend. It is important for businesses to understand travel costs not just after a journey has happened but during the booking and servicing process. It brings financial and operational information into the wider corporate travel technology environment. TMCs need systems and processes to effectively process transactions and to provide corporate clients with useful information about their travel activity. Operational capabilities can also have an important role here. JR Technologies supports TMCs, OTAs and corporate travel businesses in revenue accounting, ticket sales reconciliation, BSP/ARC reconciliation, credit card reconciliation, invoice processing and financial reporting support. By combining technology and operational processes, travel businesses can stay visible as transaction volumes and servicing demands grow. Traveler Support Isn’t Just For First Booking A ticket is not the end of the corporate travel experience. Business travelers may need to change their schedule, cancel, rebook, get a refund, choose a seat, or get assistance with luggage or other support during their trip. This continuity of service is a key part of the overall travel experience for TMCs. JR Technologies’ operational capabilities include reservations and ticketing, ticket changes/cancellations/rebooking, refund processing, frequent-flyer program support, ancillary services, schedule change notifications and multi-channel customer support. These capabilities underscore the need for corporate travel technology and operations to be increasingly considered together. The platform can make a booking, but the operational environment surrounding the platform helps ensure the traveler continues to be supported when plans change. Technology Should Support the Whole Corporate Travel Lifecycle So the next stage of corporate travel technology is more than just creating a consumer-style booking interface for business travelers. The TMCs must operate in an environment that blends airline content, corporate requirements, financial visibility, traveler servicing and operational support. New technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence may offer additional opportunities to improve some of these processes. But successful adoption hinges on clear business requirements, reliable data and the right operational workflows running behind the technology. The challenge for TMCs is to find ways to reduce complexity through technology, without losing the control and service that their corporate clients demand. Corporate Travel Technology Is Getting More Specialized Corporate travel technology is no longer playing catch up to consumer travel applications but is increasingly being built around issues specific to managed travel. Distribution, servicing, financial processes and corporate requirements are all interconnected parts of the same environment and travel businesses need to see them that way. As these needs evolve, the flexibility of the platform and operational capabilities are likely to become more and more important in how TMCs support corporate travel programs. Technology providers have the opportunity to help travel businesses connect these different requirements together without adding to the complexity. It’s pretty simple for TMCs: Provide travelers with a seamless booking and servicing experience and corporate clients with the visibility and operational support they need to manage travel well. 

About JR Technologies

JR Technologies provides travel technology and operational services for airlines, travel management companies, online travel agencies and other travel businesses. Its portfolio includes Thomalex travel technology solutions, Aerostream and Travel Bridge Services. For TMCs and corporate travel businesses, Travel Bridge Services supports operational areas including reservations and ticketing, changes and rebooking, refunds, revenue accounting, BSP/ARC reconciliation, financial reporting, loyalty program administration, customer support and GDS support. JR Technologies also provides technology capabilities, including application support, software development and data engineering and analytics. Media Contact JR Technologies Communications