Self-booking tools can save time and money but buying one requires more knowledge of your own travel requirements than it does an understanding of the technology.
BBT has spoken with industry suppliers and decised some top tips on how to successfully manage this process:
1. Understand and estimate volumes
How many travellers do you have and how many bookings do you need to process?
2. What is the corporate philosophy?
Will the company mandate use of the SBT or do you have to seek buy-in from all travellers? If you mandate, you will achieve ROI much more quickly.
3. Understand the value of integration
If you have less than 20,000 bookings per month, the ROI in an integrated chain is questionable.
4. Tell potential suppliers 'this is what we want
If you ask for a set of features, you won't learn what it doesn't do.
5. If you use hotels and rail, your choice may be more limited
Is it a high percentage of your travel?
6. Build it and they will come - maybe
Education is an important part of installing booking tools.
7. Involve your TMC
Remember, your TMC will fulfil or service any transaction made on the booking tool, and they will have to pick up the pieces if the tool you buy doesn't do what you want.