With so many self-booking tools to buy, which one should you pick? Alliente's senior global travel manager Asia-Pacific, B K SIM, shares with WRISNEY TAN the processes a US-based multinational went through in 2000. It wanted a tool for travellers in its North American offices and finally settled on Sabre's GetThere.com.

• Step one - Form a project team
Having decided to seriously consider the adoption of online booking technology, a project team was formed. The team had the following expectations of the system:

• Increase travel planning process efficiency
• Improve traveller's purchasing behaviour
• Drive supplier discount performance
• Increase purchasing leverage
• Exploit alternative travel distribution channels
• Optimise travel spending

• Step two - Review products from major vendors
The team members participated in live demonstrations and carried out in-depth reviews of products from major vendors. Key factors considered were:

• Design and functionality
• Easy integration with company's IT infrastructure
• Compatibility with computerised reservations systems, agency systems and major T&E (travel & entertainment) and enterprise solutions
• Competitive pricing
• Dedicated account management and technical support
• Demonstration of flexibility in meeting customer's requirements

• Step three - Pilot the product
Implementation involved a month-long pilot phase that engaged 100 users and a phased rollout over three months. To ensure the successful adoption of the system, the following was necessary:

• Senior level buy-in and issuance of mandate
• Promotion of the booking tool and education of users
• Training of users and setting up of user hotline
• Constant monitoring of adoption rate
• Close co-ordination with travel agency
• Availability of in-company IT resources

The company had plans to introduce the tools in its Asia-Pacific offices too but has the following points to consider:

In the Asia-Pacific, the adoption of self-booking tools is not observed to be strong. The tentative approach taken by many corporate travel managers may be due to:
• Level of readiness of users to try out new technology
• Level of IT competence of users
• Availability of private fares and Internet fares in the tool
• Integration with existing T&E systems, eg.expense management system
• Multi-CRS compatibility
• Waitlist and backup booking functionality
• Availability of data analysis reporting tools
• Implementation costs and maintenance fees.