ETAP-ON-LINE launches ULYSSE Travel & Expenses version 6 (press release)

Offers improved connectivity and new international travel functions

14 January 2009 - ETAP-ON-LINE, Europe's leading provider of business travel and expense management solutions, has announced the launch of ULYSSE Travel & Expenses Version 6.0.  This newest offering from ETAP-ON-LINE provides even greater connectivity and interoperability with the very latest versions of online booking and corporate travel agency solutions, plus, new international travel and expense management functions. The company also announced steep growth in 2008 with 900,000 users in Europe including 400,000 ASP users and rollouts in over 20 countries.

The latest innovations included in the booking integration feature of ULYSSE T&E V6 include a link to the KDS V6 portal, a mutualised solution provided by the major corporate travel management companies. It also offers connection to the dedicated online booking portals of major players; CARLSON WAGONLIT TRAVEL, AMERICAN EXPRESS EASY RES CORPORATE, SELECTOUR and the online business travel agency EGENCIA.  ULYSSE T&E V6 also connects with CDS Groupe which offers an online hotel booking tool and call centre operation dedicated to hotel reservations.  In addition, the ULYSSE T&E V6 solution can deliver continuous synchronisation of travel profiles without even needing to connect to the online booking tool.

ULYSSE T&E V6 now also offers an ONLINE /OFFLINE switch screen. This functionality enables clients who use both online and offline booking methods to direct travellers automatically to the most appropriate booking method.  This tends to push up the adoption rates of the online booking tools for eligible trips.   Following a successful pilot run in France for the ORANGE group, the  ONLINE /OFFLINE switch screen has been adopted by the company and has led to a 55% adoption rate of the ONLINE AMADEUS e-Travel Management e-booking tool integrated with the ULYSSE T&E solution.

This improved functionality means that for both ONLINE and OFFLINE booking methods ULYSSE T&E can successfully integrate with the major B2B solutions currently available, for example: Amadeus, American Express Business Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, CDS Groupe, Egencia, KDS, Selectour, Traveldoo.

The data integration between ULYSSE T&E and the partner solutions means that traveller profiles are automatically updated and synchronised between the client systems and the booking solutions.  In addition, travel requests can be validated by managers with full pricing information included.  The single point of entry for both ONLINE & OFFLINE bookings makes managing these processes simpler for both the traveller and the travel management companies.

"As the European leader in business travel expense management, we naturally pay close attention to changes in the marketplace and to the specific expectations of our clients." commented Pierre-Emmanuel Tetaz, Managing Director of ETAP-ON-LINE. "We developed ULYSSE T&E V6 so that we could incorporate offerings from the major players so that our clients could have a choice of business travel supplier" he added.

Listening to their client base also led the R&D team at ETAP-ON-LINE to include a number of new functions in the V6 which will optimise international travel.  For example the solution offers interfaces with long and short-term car rental suppliers, as well as to British and American banks such as Bank of America and Citibank; key players in North America where ETAP-ON-LINE opened an office in 2008.  ULYSSE T&E V6 also optimises the existing integration of BNP Paribas business cards and Airplus lodged cards.

Other additional V6 features include expense management features adapted to German tax rules, which are among the most complex and demanding in Europe in the domain of business travel expenses.   ULYSSE T&E 6 now enables German companies to manage expense claims in compliance with local regulations including the automatic calculation of per diem allowances.

"With ULYSSE T&E V6 we are pursuing our strategy of 100% focus and dedication to travel & expense management processes. We plan to focus on active, non-exclusive partnerships with the main players in the business travel marketplace. In addition we will offer the best functions in the market, be they for our domestic or international clients."  Tetaz concluded.

Ends

ETAP-ON-LINE will be showcasing ULYSSE T&E V6 on Stand no: 344 at the Business Travel Show 
10 - 12 February 2009 Earls Court, London

www.ulyssetravel.com   www.etaponline.co.uk