IT departments ‘not fully involved’ – travel managers

IT departments are not getting sufficiently involved in companies’ corporate travel technology needs, new research claims.

The poll of 123 corporate travel executives in the North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions highlighted that getting IT department support on travel technology purchasing is a continuing challenge for many travel managers. 

Other key findings in the survey conducted by Amadeus and the Association if Corporate Travel executives include:

*41% of respondents initiate discussions and make independent decisions about travel technology;

*49% of travel managers think that their IT department is completely uninvolved, or only marginally involved, in the strategic sourcing of travel management technology;

*85.1% of respondents are looking to vendors – including travel management companies and other technology providers – for help, while only 45% consult their own internal IT department

Jérôme Destors, director of e-Travel, the e-commerce division of Amadeus, said:

“When it comes to purchasing online travel management solutions, the IT department seems to be involved less in the pre-purchase process and more after the package has been bought.

“IT departments seem to be a little late to the game, bearing in mind the potential implications for company-wide compliance and integration when new applications are plugged into the network. Add to this the potential cost savings companies are missing out on through not utilising the buying power of IT departments, and, it becomes obvious that something needs to change.”

One respondent said: “We have a lot of trouble getting on the IT department’s radar. The IT department has a lot on its plate and most of the focus is on strategic objectives. Because travel is seen as a support function and not core to the business, we’re considered a low priority.”

Only 16% of respondents felt that travel gets the same attention as other non-core functions such as HR and accounting, even though travel expenditure is known to be one of the third largest expenses for many companies, following employee wage and rent costs.

Destors said: “The danger is that by placing less emphasis on travel technology, IT departments are encouraging travel managers into silo-thinking, leaving them to go it alone in their IT needs. 

“With a lack of support for travel managers coming from their internal departments, it is not surprising that travel managers are turning more towards travel technology companies like Amadeus or travel management companies for advice.

“In the proper situation, both the external consultants and internal IT departments should work closely together to find a solution that best meets the specific travel and technology needs of the company, as this is most likely to ensure cost savings and a more effective travel management process in the long-term.”

Report by Phil Davies