KDS Rolls Out Integrated Booking, Expense Reporting Tool

Paris-based travel technology company KDS has launched what it claims to be the first fully integrated self-booking and expense reporting tool. KDS said version 6.0 of its KDS Corporate product offers a seamless data flow and workflow all the way from pre-trip approval through trip booking to filing of expenses.

Examples of features that require one-time input for the entire system include traveler profile updates, cost-center allocations and travel policy rules. If, for instance, a traveler attempts to book business class when only permitted to fly coach, the system will flag this as an exception on the traveler's booking screen and later on their automated expense claim form, as well as in reports to managers. KDS said the system also allows travelers to arrange their expenses in clusters by trip on their report.

Another innovation in version 6.0 is a central billing module, enabling travel managers to manage travel agency invoices and reconcile them with trips booked online. The module also lets travel managers check invoices before paying them and claim credit notes for unused tickets.

For travelers using the tool to book trips, the fares display now includes an Expedia-style price summary matrix at the top of the screen. KDS also said it has added direct booking connections to 20 more suppliers, primarily low-cost carriers.

Other new features in KDS 6.0 include a "travel manager dashboard," allowing personal assistants to have a quick calendar view of all trips, sort them per traveler and duplicate, cancel or create templates as required, and a feature, built in collaboration with Microsoft France, which allows group trips to be synchronized through Microsoft Outlook.