Business travel technology has changed dramatically over the last few years. Today’s growing businesses expect more than just a booking tool. They need technology that helps employees book trips easily, supports travel policies automatically, provides visibility into spending, and simplifies expense management.
But with so many platforms on the market, how can you tell whether a solution will meet your company’s needs today and tomorrow?
Before selecting new travel technology, ask these five questions.
1. Is our current travel technology helping us grow or holding us back?
As companies grow, it’s only natural that they outgrow the tools they started with.
Travel programs become more complex as companies grow
As companies grow, travel programs become more complex. What may have started with a simple book-your-own trip as you go, now may have turned into wanting one simplified and streamlined platform that you can do everything in.
More travelers, approvals and reporting requirements
The more travelers you have on the road, the harder it is to just simply reply to a message on Teams or an email approving the business trip. Approvals need to be part of a larger process as well as reporting requirements for expenses and the list goes on.
Manual processes become harder to manage
As the admin and processes become more complex, more time is needed and the bigger burden it becomes. This is where a dedicated team or person of reference becomes a good idea and travel stops being an afterthought, and instead a means to accomplish strategic goals.
Technology should support growth, not create bottlenecks
The travel technology landscape is evolving rapidly, and many organizations are discovering that solutions that worked a few years ago no longer meet current expectations. As companies grow, you need to be sure to have the technology in place to support this growth, not creating bottlenecks but instead creating simple, adaptable solutions.
2. Does this platform deliver more than just travel booking?
Modern travel programs require more than just reservations. They need have come to expect things like:
- Online booking
- Policy controls
- Approval workflows
- Expense management
- Reporting and dashboards
- Traveler support
Travel and expense should work together rather than operating as separate processes. When travel booking and expense management are treated as independent entities, instead of an all-in-one ecosystem, employees and administrators end up doing extra work.
3. Does it provide the visibility, flexibility and control we need?
Growing companies need better oversight without creating friction.
Oversight can translate into visibility of:
- Travel spend
- Expenses
- Policy compliance
- Flexibility:
- Different traveler needs
- Different approval structures
- Changing business requirements
Control on the other hand can refer to:
- Automated policies
- Approval workflows
- Budget management
Flexibility is about having the human touch, working in the background, a travel expert you know is backing you up should you need help on-the-go. Technology should help companies make better decisions, not just process bookings.
4. Will employees actually use it?
A platform only works if employees want to use it. This is why the traveler experience is so fundamental. How easy it is to book and how easy it is to follow the travel policy will make or break the success of your travel program.
Modern travelers will expect a booking experience like the kind they are used to in their personal lives (think Booking.com or Skyscanner.com). They want to be able to access their documents, reserve and submit their expense reports on the go, making the process fast, with broad access to their favorite travel providers, and self-service options when available.
If booking within policy is easier than booking elsewhere, compliance naturally improves.
5. Can it support our business in the long term?
Companies should evaluate both short-term and long-term needs. Technology alone isn’t enough; growing companies need a combination of modern technology, travel expertise and ongoing support.
Follow-up questions worth asking
Will the system still work when we double in size?
Does it support multiple offices?
Can reporting evolve with our business?
Will we need another platform in two years?
What support is available when issues arise?
What modern travel programs should deliver
A modern travel program should provide:
Conclusion
The question isn’t simply whether your travel technology works today.
The real question is whether it can support where your company is headed next.
As business travel continues to evolve, growing organizations should regularly evaluate whether their technology delivers the visibility, flexibility, control and traveler experience needed to support future growth.
The right platform doesn’t just help people book trips. It helps companies build a smarter, more scalable travel program.
Continue the Conversation: Join our upcoming webinar
Business travel technology has evolved, and so have the expectations of travelers, managers, finance teams, and growing organizations.
But how do you know if your current technology is truly keeping up?
If you’re evaluating your travel program or simply wondering whether your current approach can support future growth, join Jeff Ochaita, Vice President of Sales & Customer Success at GetGoing, for an exclusive webinar exploring how the travel technology landscape is changing and what growing companies should be looking for in a modern travel and expense solution.
Webinar: The changing travel technology landscape for growing companies
During the session, we’ll discuss:
- The changing travel technology landscape and what it means for growing organizations
- What modern travel programs should deliver, including a seamless traveler experience, broad travel content, visibility, flexibility, and control
- How travel and expense work better together to create a simpler experience for travelers and administrators
- The key questions to ask about your current technology as your business and travel program evolve
- GetGoing in action, with a live demonstration of the platform and how it brings travel and expense management together
The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical insights for assessing their current travel program and planning for future growth.
Date: September 24
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Register today and discover what growing companies should expect from modern travel technology.