In travel data management, having the data is one thing. Knowing what to do with it, managing it and ensuring it’s quality is a something else entirely.
The first 3 best practices that we discussed in part 2 of our travel data management series were:
Along with timeliness and accuracy of the data, is the next big challenge – bringing all of your data sources together in a consolidated location. This is where your real power is. When you can harness all of your data, you exponentially increase the points of measurement and analysis available to you. Being able to compare across TMC, Expense, Purchase Card and other data, exposes additional variables that you would not be able to see by only looking at a single source of data.
A variety of data sources will also allow you to supplement data from a single source and greatly improve the quality and accuracy.
For more on the benefits and challenges of data consolidation.
Having a tool that is easy to use and provides all of the previously mentioned elements is critical. Having the data is one thing. Making it work for you is another. Having a tool that you will actually use and that can be easily deployed across your organization and be powerful to many users of differing skill levels will greatly impact the adoption of the tool.
This in turn will better measuring, reduction of your reaction time and improved monitoring of cost savings opportunities.
To achieve any great solution, you need to have a great working relationship with the partners you choose.
When evaluating partners, look for partners who collaborate with you to, not just fulfill your needs but, exceed your expectations by anticipating trends your own business as well as in the constantly changing travel industry. These partners should work with you to support and provide technology necessary for you to stay ahead of the curve.