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Haldor Topsøe:
Travel Management from theory to practice
When the editor had heard about
the Travel Management system SkyGate, naturally we wanted to
learn from one of its "godparents" whether the
system had subsequently lived up to expectations, and not
least to the many promises.
We visited Lars Engmose, Travel Manager at Haldor Topsøe
- a neighbour to the Danish Switzerland in Lundtofte north of
Copenhagen.
"For two years now I have - well assisted by my 3
colleagues - been responsible for Haldor Topsøe A/S' travel
department. We operate a so called in-house travel agency,
which today handles all tasks related to our approximately
3,700 employees annual travel activities. This job SkyGate
helps us with."
"SkyGate was already being used when I started. I did not
know the system beforehand and was therefore positively
surprised at the large number of statistics - 15,000 - that
the system can supply. The large number of options is simply
ideal, when like us you have a large, complex travel pattern
and just therefore would like to have a total overview of all
your company's travel activities. Inclusive all bookings -
irrespective of they are made via CRS-system, Internet or
manually via phone, fax or email."
Lars continues: "As a controlling and management tool it
is supreme. By virtue of the control function we frequently
ascertain e.g. deviations between flight company statements
and our own statistics - and sometimes in our favour. This
documentation furthermore gives us a valuable independence in
negotiations about volume agreements with suppliers - and
forms at the same time basis for more concrete
agreements."
"Also employees' earnings of bonus points from various
flight companies bonus programmes we manage ourselves -
coordinated with statements from the companies. And the fact
that bonus points rests with the company has up to now saved
us millions on the travel budget."
In reply to the question about additional advantages by
SkyGate, Lars said: "Flexibility - quite definitely. The
system is tailor made to the tasks we have - and the
information we wish to extract. It facilitates procedure for
travel approval. An in the event of flight strikes it helps us
to rebook employees concerned. Finally, of course, there is
the efficiency gain, which noticeably improves
profitability."
"But as you know trees do not grow into the sky,"
Lars Engmose ends. "SkyGate do not yet offer total
integration with CRS-systems. This means, that we spend a
little more time on the data recording, which is subsequently
exported e.g. to Amadeus. In my view the system may very well
ask users questions - this could be in the form of useful
warning lamps."
"Besides, I do not understand that travel agencies still
sees SkyGate as a competitor. They ought to recommend the
system, since it gives them the possibility for better
exchange of information with the customers."
Food for thought......
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