Not many businesspeople relish the thought of filling out expense reports after a long trip. That post-travel ritual may soon be a thing of the past.
Using its XML-based transaction framework, Concur Technologies Inc. is looking to make filing a travel and expense (T&E) report as simple as making a phone call.
The Redmond, Wash.-based corporate expense management independent software vendor (ISV) and ASP today announced that voice integration is now part of Concur Expense. The new capability to enter expenses by phone is part of the company’s XML-based Mobile Device Connectivity Platform, which is designed to integrate Concur Expense into the next generation of mobile devices.
To enter expenses, employees call a toll-free number and input expense details verbally. The application automatically prepopulates the information into Concur Expense, which is designed to automate each step of the T&E expense management process. For example, expense reports are routed to managers, who can provide approval online as well as receive immediate notification of noncompliant entries. Reports are also linked to financial and payroll systems, eliminating the need to rekey expense data.
“Our voice integration solution creates a more streamlined process through timely and accurate expense reporting. This new solution enables us to provide a suite of mobile solutions that fulfills the needs of employees to better manage expenses while on the go,” said Rajeev Singh, chief operating officer, customer operations for Concur.
To add voice integration, Concur is using technology provided by Speechforms Inc., a Seattle-based software developer. The company offers its application as a service and provides telecom, database and Web infrastructure designed for rapid deployment. Speechforms reports that customers are typically up and running with speech-enabled business applications within seven days.
“Our application provides Concur with a foundation for further streamlining the expense reporting process,” said John Kueber, president of Speechforms Inc.
Concur’s strategic alliances include relationships with ADP, American Express, KMPG Consulting and Microsoft.
Do you have a comment or question about this article or the ASP industry in general? Speak out in the ASP Discussion Forum.