SAP Concur unveils AI-powered travel solution for ANZ markets

SAP Concur has introduced its updated Concur Travel solution for the Australian and New Zealand markets, incorporating automation and artificial intelligence tools to streamline corporate travel management.

The latest version of Concur Travel incorporates the AI-powered Request Assistant for automatic cost estimates before trips are booked. SAP's generative AI assistant, Joule, is expected to be integrated in the future, offering predictive cost estimates, dynamic itinerary management, and intelligent meeting location suggestions.

With this planned integration, Joule will use historical employee data and live information to provide business trip estimates, aiming to create a planning environment that supports long-term corporate needs. SAP Concur says these developments are designed to help organisations plan more proactively, reduce operational overheads, improve the accuracy of travel arrangements, and bolster employee satisfaction.

Jonathan Beeby, Managing Director, SAP Concur Australia and New Zealand, said, "Businesses need more streamlined, intelligent ways to manage employee travel. The new Concur Travel experience answers this demand by consolidating travel bookings, policy compliance, and sustainability insights into a connected, mobile-first solution. This culminates in a full picture of organisational travel while empowering employees to book and manage business trips with ease."

The redesigned user interface is now available across both mobile and desktop platforms, and features updated content, improved visuals, and increased emphasis on sustainability data. Travellers can more easily access carbon emission statistics and choose eco-friendly travel options, aligning with business objectives and personal preferences. Enhanced search capabilities allow users to find trips by airport, city, or company location, supporting greater efficiency in travel planning.

Discussing the integration of travel and expense data, Beeby stated, "The real power of the solution is in the convergence of travel and expense data. Using new Concur Travel with Concur Expense gives organisations a consolidated view of all spending activity for real-time decision-making. Travel bookings automatically populate expense reports, minimising manual data entry and errors, while integrated policy enforcement tools embed compliance into every stage of the employee journey. This approach strengthens financial oversight and expedites employee reimbursements, driving better outcomes across finance and HR functions."

SAP Concur's enhancements also focus on the user experience. Features such as integration with Microsoft Teams for travel collaboration, one-way flex fare options to allow more flexibility in booking, and new timeline views have been implemented. The goal is to reduce complexity, foster higher engagement, improve compliance rates, and minimise incidents where employees book outside approved channels.

The solution aims to address the current challenges faced by businesses attempting to balance cost control and regulatory compliance with employee needs for flexibility and convenience. SAP Concur notes that disconnected or fragmented systems can lead to inefficiencies, lack of visibility over travel data, and greater compliance risks. The company describes its ecosystem as one where travel bookings and compliance monitoring operate within a unified environment, allowing businesses to improve efficiency and responsiveness without requiring users to change their existing login credentials, URLs, or mobile applications during the transition.

Beeby added, "The new Concur Travel solution gives ANZ businesses a critical opportunity to modernise their travel strategies with localised support for one-way faring, updated policy enforcement by trip leg, and enhanced sustainable travel options. Organisations can streamline operations, empower employees, and drive better business outcomes by embracing an integrated, data-driven approach to travel management. SAP Concur is committed to equipping its customers to lead the way as corporate travel continues to evolve."