www.buyingbusinesstravel.com
relatively high, this issue is becoming more pertinent. Andy Slough, IT director for Chambers Travel, says the consumerisation of business travel habits means travellers are demanding richer services that some corporates can’t yet support because of security concerns. He says around two thirds of Chambers’ clients retain a tightly managed policy around mobile. “Travellers will access services they want any way they can, but companies who have not yet relaxed policy still think the risk of exposure is too great,” says Slough. “It’s important to make staff as happy and productive as
policy depends on your location. We’re not issued Blackberrys, as such. In the UK, for example, staff can buy their own device and can charge some of the cost to the company. It’s about common sense. You download what you need to do your job. If someone finds an app they need and it is restricted, they talk to the business.”
Global marketing and consulting firm Sapient is ahead of the curve. Global travel and client experience director Michelle De Costa says the company culture lends itself to a strictly BYOD policy. “The guys buy their own devices and hook
CFOs are enthused by BYOD’s cost savings, as it reduces or eradicates the need to have a telecoms provider
possible. It’s good for business. And for new generations of workers, using their own mobile technology is second nature. But what happens if someone’s personal device, which is connected to company email and servers, is lost? It can wreak havoc. If it’s locked down, it can be remotely wiped.” Slough says ultimately IT directors must consider the balance between technologies’ vulnerability to attack with employee productivity gains.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Greg Wilczek, travel director for professional services firm Marsh and McLennan Companies, insists it’s impossible nowadays to prevent people bringing their own phones to work. “Corporations are having to move towards BYOD. Our staff currently use Blackberrys, but the IT Group is looking to the future.” Ike Ihenacho is global travel, expense and meetings manager for confectionary firm Mondelez. He says his company takes a common-sense approach. “Our
up to intranet, email and whatever else they need,” she says. “Sapient’s background is rooted in IT, so we have the best and brightest people. Our global security and IT is amazing. The average age of our travellers is 32. Many of them don’t even want to travel with a laptop anymore. They want to grab their tablet and move. A lot goes on behind the scenes to make it safe, but connecting via a VPN [virtual private network] connection is simple.” De Costa says high levels of technology adoption – including online booking tools – are down to Sapient’s young workforce. “It’s very self- service. We have a low number of admin staff, so most travellers book themselves.”
The demands of business
travellers, and all corporate employees, will continue to grow as mobile technology becomes cheaper, faster and more sophisticated. But there is a genuine desire in the business community to overcome security concerns for the good of staff morale and profitability. ■
IN BRIEF
■ Corporate Travel Management has launched a self-developed online booking tool that aims to give buyers access to a wider range of airfares and hotel rates. The travel management company said it will also include rates not normally available online.
■ Luxury hotel group Loews Hotels and Resorts is now offering free wifi at all of its 18 North American hotels. The basic wifi will be offered for free in rooms, lobbies, restaurants and at the pool areas. Meeting spaces are not included in the free access and will continue to be sold to groups booking those areas.
■ Lufthansa has launched its in- flight mobile phone service with GSM service provider Aeromobile, allowing passengers to use their own mobile devices during long- haul flights. The German carrier, which already has eight aircraft with mobile connectivity, will roll out the service across its entire long-haul fleet later this year.
HILLGATE UNVEILS NEW ‘RESWAY’ APP
A SABRE RED APP, which allows travel consultants to simultaneously shop for global distribution system (GDS) inventory and non-GDS low-cost airline and hotel content within the Sabre Red workspace, has been unveiled by Hillgate Travel. The independent travel management company showcased the ‘Resway’ app at the Business Travel Show. Resway utilises ‘active listening’, allowing Hillgate’s consultants to input one request into the GDS to receive back the widest range of itinerary options as well as the lowest airline fares and hotel rates. The app also integrates with Hillgate
Travel’s online profile and approval systems, together with its payment partners, including Conferma. ■ Business Travel Show report, p92
VIRGIN TRIALS GOOGLE GLASS
VIRGIN ATLANTIC STAFF will start wearing Google Glasses as part of a six-week trial to “enhance passengers’ experience”. The concierge staff, at Virgin’s Upper Class area at Heathrow Terminal 3, will greet passengers and have instant access to information designed to improve customer service. This includes flight information, destination weather forecasts and language translation. Virgin said that, in the future, the gadget
could inform staff of people’s dietary requirements and refreshment preferences, although it does need wifi connectivity to function. If Google Glass, operated both by voice control and touch, is deemed a success, it could be rolled out at other airports.
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