Bird Group powers corporate travel managers with technology solutions to strike a better balance between service quality and cost reduction
Latest study reveals that the majority of CFOs are dissatisfied with how travel costs are currently managed in their companies

New Delhi, November 12, 2008: Bird Group, India’s leading travel industry conglomerate and provider of automated aviation and travel related software solutions, today announced the rollout of technology solutions aimed at allowing corporations to better manage their travel budgets. The rollout of Amadeus e-Travel Management (AeTM) and Bird Res-SBT solutions comes at a time when corporate travel managers are facing tremendous pressure from the management with regard to cost reduction. A new report titled Cost Control and Beyond, published by CFO Europe Research Services in collaboration with Amadeus, has found that less than 40% of CFOs (Chief Financial Officers) are satisfied with the levels of savings delivered by corporate travel programmes in their company.

The study is a result of research* with a focus group of 127 CFOs, of which 25% were from Asia (approx 32 CFOs in India & China) while 50% were from Europe & 25% from the US. CFOs surveyed represented a variety of industry sectors with the study investigating their perspectives on corporate travel management – an area which, to date, has not been widely explored. The study revealed that while CFOs clearly view travel through a cost-control lens, travel cost management has so far made a minimal contribution to companies’ overall cost control programmes. Almost two-thirds of CFOs surveyed rated online booking tools (63%) and automated expense reporting tools (66%) as a cost saving vehicle. 71% of CFOs believe it is very important to integrate travel technology with expense management systems however just 18% say their companies’ have highly integrated these systems.

Commenting on the need for streamlining travel costs, Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group said: “Technology can help immensely in driving agile companies to streamline travel costs & enhance overall profitability. Driven by this belief, at the Bird Group we are committed to devise innovative technology solutions that enable seamless integration between finance and travel management departments in an organization, empowering them to work together more effectively and trim overall travel costs. Towards delivering on this commitment we have extended our product portfolio to include Amadeus e-Travel Management (AeTM) and Bird Res-SBT solutions which have been designed to keep costs down while increasing transparency, efficiency and control of travel programmes for corporates.”

AETM
Amadeus e-Travel Management (AeTM) is a browser-based self booking tool for making travel reservations that are compliant with a corporate travel policy for multinational corporations and organization that have travel spent more than 1 crore plus. It is used by business travelers within a corporation. The corporation uses AeTM in Association with a travel agency which processes the booking and issues the ticket.

Product Features
• Provides integrated administration and booking capabilities via role-based permissions
• Quick site set up in an online environment
• Site administration module supportive of centrally - or distributed management programs
• Site administration configuration assisted by wizards
• Super PNR containing segments from multiple sources
• Travel Rules enforcement with a robust rules management module
• Approve / reject trips via a handheld device (Blackberry) and even sms
• Pre-trip Approval and notification (workflow) process
• Travel Arranger capability supporting top down and self-designated processes
• User-friendly interface (UI) providing optimal clarity, designed by usability experts
• Upload of the intinerary to PDA applications
• Modular and adaptable profile structure to meet organizational and hierarchical needs

BirdRes- SBT
BirdRes-SBT is a browser-based self booking tool for Small and Medium size corporation that have an annual travel budget of less than 1 crore per annum. This solution makes travel Reservations simple and in compliant with the corporation’s travel policy. The corporation uses BirdRes-SBT in Association with a travel agency which processes the booking and issues ticket.

Product Features
• Provides integrated administration and booking capabilities
• Travel Rules enforcement with a robust rules management module
• Pre-trip Approval and notification (workflow) process
• Travel Arranger capability supporting top down and self designated processes
• User-friendly interface (UI) providing optimal clarity
• Modular and adaptable profile structure to meet organizational and hierarchical needs
• A ‘shopping basket’ online travel planning experience

About the Survey
Key findings are particularly pertinent against the current backdrop of economic uncertainty, with companies scrambling to cut costs without compromising on standards • CFOs expect travel managers to prioritise staff productivity saving employees’ time before travel (planning and booking), while travelling and on return (expense reporting and reconciliation) to minimise the indirect costs of travel.
• 71% of CFOs believe it is very important to integrate travel technology with expense management systems however just 18% say their companies’ have highly integrated these systems. Integration with other business systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning and Human Resources databases are also considered important in the overall mission of managing travel costs but again, performance is lagging.
• Three in four CFOs believe travel managers should focus on improving supplier relationships. The research shows that this is an area where CFOs believe travel teams are currently underperforming. A single view of travel information across the entire business will support leverage with such suppliers and will find additional favourwith finance departments by enabling.

1) More fact-based advice on improved profitability
2) Tighter cost control by being able to track travel spend by project or individual
3) The ability to create better budgets and forecasts

• Just 27% of respondents considered the relationship between corporate travel service departments and CFOs to be very effective, although CFOs make the ultimate decisions on travel budget and travel technology investments. The report however can be used as a practical guide for corporate travel managers to “speak the language” of those working in finance departments and present smart business cases for travel programme investment with the right mix of cost, standard and value arguments.

About Bird Group
The Bird Group was founded in 1971 with the incorporation of Bird Travels. Today, with over 40 years of experience and more than 40 offices supported by over 3500 well trained staff and an impressive clientele of over 500 top corporates, Bird Group can claim to be one of the largest and most diversified entities within the industry in the Indian subcontinent. With businesses as diverse as pioneering back-office processing to being the representative for many of the world’s leading airlines; from managing the backbone of the technological framework for airline IT and distribution to managing crucial relationships of international service providers, Bird Group has ensured that a comprehensive portfolio of service offering has been created to add value to and extensive client base and new ad potential customers. And in recent months, Bird Group has taken bold steps to increasing the value offering while broadening business horizons with new ventures. Today Bird Group’s core business includes Travel Technology, Comprehensive Airline Representation & Management, Hospitality, Passenger Aviation Services & Ground Handling, Cargo Management, Education & Training, Business Consultancy & Luxury Retail. Together, the various companies within these verticals generate a direct revenue in excess of USD 100 Million.

For more information, visit the Bird Group website www.bird.in Press Contacts

Amita Tandan
Senior Consultant,
Text 100 Public Relations
Email: amitat@text100.co.in

Tarun Nagrani
Account Manager, Text 100 Public Relations,
Email: tarunn@text100.co.in
Tel: +91 11 40612000