The modern travel industry has changed beyond recognition in the past decade. The same demand for high-quality services that propelled airlines and hotels to become outsourcing powerhouses a decade ago is still with us, but so are several entirely new challenges. These days, instead of simply bookings and flight reservations being handled by software as a service (aaBaaS) providers, clients want guarantees that their personal data is safe and that it will be processed efficiently.
They also want to see records of their orders fulfilled within hours, not days or even weeks. This increased focus on customization and accountability requires a different type of outsourcing relationship than was commonplace just a few years ago. To stay competitive, many smaller traveling companies have to outsource functions such as accounting and IT as well as customer service. These services need to be implemented quickly to meet rising demand from business travelers who are increasingly connected digitally at all times of the day and night. This makes choosing the right travel management software for your business an essential step toward becoming more efficient and effective as an organization.
What is a travel management software?
A travel management software (TMM) is a database that is integrated with a variety of tools to help make the booking process seamless and efficient for both travelers and travel suppliers. It includes a host of tools to track and manage your customers, including online booking forms, online trip advisors, online payment gateways, analytics tools to understand customer behavior, and reporting tools to help you understand why certain booking or trip decisions have been made.
All this information is stored in a cloud-based database, making the information available to you 24/7, online, and through mobile device.
How to choose the right travel management software for your business
Before diving in, however, you’ll want to decide what type of business you have and why you’re choosing to use a particular software. If you’re an airline company, the primary benefit of using a software provider will be cost. The more features a software provider has, the more expensive it will be. However, the more features it has, the more extensive its functionality will be, and the easier it will be for your customers to use. What will also matter is whether your budget is for the whole year or specific months in which you’ll need the service. If you’re only using the software for a short time, it makes sense to shop around and save up for a better deal. However, if you’re using the software for years to come, the cheaper price may not matter as much.
Some of the main features to look for in a travel management software
1) Efficiency – The easiest way to determine how efficiently your business is operating is to look at how much time your customers are spending with your online booking tool. If they’re not spending as much time with your software as they would with other tools, you’re probably doing something wrong. Efficiency is key when it comes to TMM features. In addition to speed, features such as support for multiple languages, guaranteed availability, 24/7 customer support, and an extensive database should all play a role in your decision on which TMM to use.
2) Flexibility – TMM flexibility is key. If you use a single software provider, you’re probably limited in what you can do. With too few options and features, you may end up with a software that does everything you need, but very poorly. Flexibility is another key feature that must be considered because, if you need to add or remove features based on customer demand or the software’s growth, you have to consider what that will do to your business’s financial performance. You don’t want to sacrifice efficiency for flexibility’s sake, but rather for the sake of your customers.
The future of travel management software
The future of travel management software isn’t as bright as it once was. The old guard of AaaBaaS providers is slowly being eliminated as more and more players enter the market. More and more travelers are expected to use digital strategies to book their travel. With the rise of the Internet of Things, businesses are finding that customers are more demanding and more demanding of quality services than ever before. The future of travel management software, then, promises to be a mix of the old and new, with AaaBaaS providers fighting for their place in the sun.
Conclusion
The modern travel industry has changed beyond recognition in the past decade. The same demand for high-quality services that propelled airlines and hotels to become outsourcing powerhouses a decade ago is still with us, but so are several entirely new challenges. These days, instead of simply bookings and flight reservations being handled by software as a service (aaBaaS) providers, clients want guarantees that their personal data is safe and that it will be processed efficiently. They also want to see records of their orders fulfilled within hours, not days or even weeks. This increased focus on customization and accountability requires a different type of outsourcing relationship than was commonplace just a few years ago.
