According to a recent survey, UK travel managers would look to implement an end-to-end travel and expense solution to improve cost reduction, efficiency and policy compliance. So when is the right time to evaluate the processes for an end-to-end solution?

CFOs are more likely to fund expense projects in the current climate as the economy experiences growth. However, travel departments will have to work hard to justify the investment.

On the procurement side, many companies have achieved maximum discount from their travel suppliers and will be looking for savings efficiencies on the process side and enhanced, good quality data.

Nowadays, most activities from a traveller and employee perspective are done online. It creates frustration when there is one system for travel, another for expenses, and then different approval processes. The manual processing of T&E is also time-consuming and expensive.

Implementing an end-to-end travel and expense system is not just about cost reduction. For many organisations there is a need to replace legacy systems.

There are unavoidable trends that are going to force change at some point in the future. Technology, connectivity and processing speeds are becoming faster, cheaper and more powerful with each passing year.

Employees and business travelers will be demanding automation and personalisation in every aspect of their working and personal lives. Failing to meet those expectations will have serious consequences for any business. An opportunity exists for travel managers to lead change in their departments and across their business.

Travel managers need to overcome their fear of an end-to-end solution project and put forward a business case before someone puts it on their desk.