Business Travel News - December 17, 2007 - (Page 6)

NEWS MasterCard Upgrades Reporting, Data Integration BY MICHAEL B. BAKER MasterCard Worldwide this month announced the launch of the latest version of its Web-based expense reporting and data management system, which the company said more flexibly adapts to various travel program sizes and offers better reporting capabilities than previous versions. Smartdata.gen2 is a scalable reporting tool that can leverage data, powered by MasterCard’s global data repository, from hotel folios, airlines, car rental and rail companies and travel agencies, according to MasterCard. Monitoring can be customized to provide spending alerts and other tai- lored reports. The tool also can export data to such programs as Excel or enterprise resource planning systems. Reporting capabilities are much more comprehensive, said Steve Abrams, MasterCard’s global product group executive for commercial products. Customizable expense monitoring can set up spending alerts, analyze and filter specific data and create reports to help ensure compliance. Flexibility is enhanced because the tool uses a Java platform, Abrams said. The older platform made it difficult to have the reporting tool built in, he said. The new platform makes it easier for small businesses to For the latest breaking news, see btnonline.com/bn adapt the reporting to their needs, giving them a better handle on how employees are using their corporate cards. David Hillman, principal of Deerfield, Ill.-based Consulting Strategies, cited its ability to export data into other such systems. “To the extent that it makes integration with other platforms and applications easier, and provides management the ability to analyze data in a more flexible and meaningful way, it’s a positive enhancement for the market,” Hillman said. Abrams said the new version can report local currency transactions in a single currency, and it supports 14 languages. MasterCard is phasing in elements of the revised reporting tool and will convert current customers to the new system over time. All new customers will be put on the new platform as of Jan.1, 2008. ■ mbaker@btnonline.com ■ Today, ﬂights are three times shorter than they used to be. It’s a shame, really. – COMFORT, SWISS MADE. – Our personal touch, our attention to detail and that little extra in terms of service are our way of offering our guests an unforgettable travel experience. A ﬂight is often too short to enjoy everything we offer. Call 1-877-FLY SWISS, contact your local travel agent, or visit SWISS.COM to ﬁnd out more about all the things we do to make each and every ﬂ ight as comfortable as possible for our guests. Amex Sees Growth Soar In India, China Continued from page 3 SWISS.COM 6 Monday, December 17, 2007 www.btnonline.com called,” Aitkenhead said. To further support consistency in service, traveler profile tools are being developed for the Indian market, where only 20 percent of Amex’s traveler population is completely profiled, according to Aitkenhead. With increased service will come greater costs as Amex projects agent salaries in the region to increase between 6 percent and 12 percent next year. Vice president and general manager of JAPA Libby Roy said Amex will work with customers to minimize the configuration of services that they want. All organizations are dealing with the same inflation and salary costs, so net-net, we will see price rises in some of our markets.” Petruccelli said Greater China and India, which are top 10 markets for the TMC in terms of managed volume, eventually would move into the top five. Petruccelli said the company plans for “solid doubledigit market growth” next year in Greater China. ■ sharris@btnonline.com ■ Business Travel News http://SWISS.COM http://btnonline.com/bn http://SWISS.COM http://SWISS.COM http://www.btnonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - December 17, 2007

Contents
Amex to Go End to End
Hood Back at BCD
AirTran First Sabre XML Airline
Inside Track
MasterCard Upgrades Reporting, Data
Amadeus Debuts Hotel Platform
Washington Wire
Kodak Moment
Travel Management
Forum
Mtg. Buyers Give Carriers Lower Marks
Meetings Today
Drawing Boards
Black Book Contents
Airlines
Private Jets/Charter
Associations
Car Rental Companies
Conference Centers
Consultants
Lawyers
Travel Management
Travel Security
Travel Technology
Ground Transportation Companies
Education
Hotel Chains
Corporate Housing
Hotel Management Companies
Hotel Rep Firms
International Business Services
Payment Systems
Technology
Back-Office Accounting
Data Consolidation and Reporting
Hotel Program Services
Meetings Management
Miscellaneous
Reservation Systems
T&E Expense Management
Travel Management Companies
Travel Angency Networks

Business Travel News - December 17, 2007