Corporate IT departments are failing to focus enough attention on the needs
of business travel management, according to a new survey by Amadeus and the
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).
Research among 123 company travel executives in the North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific
regions revealed that IT departments often take a back seat in the travel
technology decision making process.
This leaves travel managers the final say when it comes to deciding which solutions to use.
Almost half (41%) the travel executives said they initiated discussions and made such decisions independently, while 49% believed the relevant departments at their companies were either completely uninvolved or played only marginal roles in sourcing technology.
A significant majority (85.1%) looked for outside help, from travel management companies and
other technology providers.
45% said they did not even consult their IT departments.
Just over one third (34%) said they had good relations with their IT departments and got technical support when necessary but only 16% felt travel received the same attention as other "non core functions" like Human Resources.
One respondent said: "We have a lot of trouble getting on the IT department's radar. Because travel is seen as a support function and not core to the business, we're considered a low priority."
Jérôme Destors, e-Travel director at Amadeus's e-commerce division, 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."
* see BTE's new job recruitment website www.businesstraveljobs.com