T&E system users want better mobile access, says KDS
To meet the expectations of the iPhone generation, corporate Travel and Expense (T&E) systems have to offer a new wave of optimized mobile applications, says
KDS, Europe’s online T&E market leader. Its comments reflect a recent survey of the influential KDS User Group, 95% of whose members say they want mobile access to travel bookings, and follow a recent strengthening of the company’s mobile application development programme.
The KDS User Group includes travel and procurement managers from some of the world’s largest multinational corporations, who are responsible for tens of thousands of business travellers. Collectively, the Group has a purchasing power in excess of €2 billion. Over 130 members responded to the survey on mobile applications.
Notable findings include the following:
- 95% of respondents were either Very Interested (80%) or Interested (15%) in being able to access information about business trips via mobile, such as booking references, addresses and phone numbers.
- Of these, 60% were Very Interested and 27% Interested in accessing GPS positioning for appointment locations.
- 89% of respondents want not only to access travel information from a mobile, but also to search for and alter bookings. (65% considered this Highly Attractive and 24% Attractive.)
- The most popular options for which mobile users would search would be flights or train (89%), followed by hotels (88%) and car hire (87%).
- 80% would like to submit expense claims via a mobile device during a business trip, underling the attractions of integrating travel and expense in a single system. (49% saw this as Very Useful and 31% Useful).
Yves Weisselberger, CEO of KDS, says,
"By definition, a mobile device is a natural way to access information about your business trip. Iconic products like the iPhone and BlackBerry have raised the bar of user expectation - Travel & Expense systems now have to roll out enhanced apps to complement the mobile experience.”
“We are at a turning point as far as mobile access to SaaS (Software as a Service) applications is concerned,” he continued.
“KDS solutions are already accessible on iPhone, but we’re working to introduce fully optimized applications for this and other smart phone platforms.”
KDS has recently stepped up its development work on the mobile delivery of its integrated T&E applications, with careful consideration of the optimal functionality and interface.
“Mobile apps should be powerful and yet easy to navigate on the smaller screen,” says Weisselberger.
“To deliver such pared-down solutions for T&E is a real challenge, as the systems are so multifaceted, but this is the target we must aim for if we’re to truly meet the needs of business travellers.”
Tatiana Rokou
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Thursday, April 23, 2009