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New Brand Introduces New Capabilities and Enhanced Services Providing a Local and Flexible Approach to Travel, Expense and Cash Flow Management
MARKHAM, ON,
"aXcentis is part of an enhanced suite of services and new capabilities designed to address the evolution of small to mid-sized companies that need a sophisticated managed travel program at a reasonable cost," said Lyell Farquharson, Vice President and General Manager, Business Travel
Because business travel can have a positive impact on growing revenue, and companies with a managed travel program can achieve a greater return, aXcentis has been designed to ensure companies do not under-invest or overspend as their need for travel increases in line with economic revival.
Farquharson continued, "A challenge of companies is that many do not have a dedicated travel department internally, and with the economic downturn, most businesses were forced to cut back on resources and spending decked against travel services. Now, in what we see as the new normal, companies will begin travelling again but there is an opportunity to do so wisely in what will likely remain a cash-constrained environment in the foreseeable future."
Transcending the basic tools and practices traditionally employed by small and mid-sized businesses, aXcentis manages 100 per cent of total travel and expense spending with a focus on:
- Program Strategy - aXcentis applies proprietary methodology to
evaluate a company's current travel and expense process, identifies
areas of improvement and matches a comprehensive, business goal-
driven program with clearly defined measurements for return on travel
investment.
- Cash Flow Management/Spend Recycling - aXcentis employs a system to
manage budget spent on unused travel so these resources can be
applied to future trips, which can free up cash to invest in other
business areas.
- Insight and benchmarking - aXcentis uses the world's largest travel
and expenses database to deliver business intelligence that informs
sourcing and spend efforts and provides the basis benchmarking and
performance measurement.
Ongoing program management is handled through a local and dedicated aXcentis client management team that will work with companies to optimize their program and provide counsel to help them realize the greatest return on travel spending. Clients also have access to experienced travel counsellors who understand the needs of companies and are available 24 hours a day.
Additional benefits of aXcentis include:
- Access to exclusive negotiated deals with suppliers and the lowest
total trip costs
- An automated travel manager suite, including a pre-trip auditor and
authorization tools, which support travel policy both on and offline.
Additionally, traveller tracking tools are included to help companies
identify where their travellers are at all times
- A meetings management package that includes a self-service booking
tool for smaller meetings and access to a meetings desk of experts to
assist with larger meetings.
- Tools to calculate potential savings, recover unused airline tickets
automatically, and manage expenses online.
Including
About aXcentis - by American Express Business Travel
aXcentis is backed by nearly a century of American Express experience in providing travel management services to business of all sizes and travel budgets. Through aXcentis, small to medium-sized companies have access to a broad array of travel services through local account management and a reliable and experienced global organization. A focus on driving savings and control over travel and related spending through a proactive and consultative approach can help companies achieve a positive return on travel investment. Our reach may be global, but at the heart of our success are businesses just like yours.
About American Express Business Travel
American Express Business Travel (www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel), a division of American Express Company, is committed to helping its clients maximize the greatest return on their travel investment through increased cost savings, world-class customer service and greater spending control. Ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations, American Express Business Travel provides a combination of industry-leading technology, travel management consulting, strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation support, alongside global customer service available online and offline. The Company also provides a dynamic online community (www.BusinessTravelConneXion.com) harnessing the collective intelligence of those in the business travel industry offering a variety of perspectives, best practices, current research and industry news.
American Express operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks with locations in over 140 countries worldwide.
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
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