Streamline Procurement Processes via Effective Travel Management Strategies and Technologies

Ettienne de Swardt, Senior Director, Sales and Account Management North America 

The Energy Supply Chain & Procurement Summit returns to Houston this week, inviting leaders from across the industry to network and contemplate key questions, including:

• How can you remain cost-conscious amidst global inflation and disruption?
• What are the best practices to remain compliant with regulatory changes within the energy sector?
• How to leverage varying – and sometimes conflicting – priorities such as costs and ESG goals?
• Where will advanced technologies fit into the logistics and travel management landscape and will they lead to improved efficiency, security, and sustainability?
• What are the actions you can take to offset Scope 3 emissions and adopt emission reporting?

As a leading TMC in our field and a global partner to the energy industry, we will be exhibiting at the event to help delegates answer these critical issues.

Finding Value in Partnerships

Global disruption and a changing energy landscape have left operators and the associated supply chain feeling the effects on their budgets. When businesses look to make cuts where possible, partnering with external consultants might not seem like the most cost-effective route. However, integrating improved travel habits with the expertise and support of a TMC can lead to significant long-term financial and time savings.

Yes, there are costs associated with procuring consultancy and reporting services, but this could be a small price when assessing the value a TMC provides. Aided by the guidance of experienced travel and events partners, evolving industry regulations, expanding work scopes, and new regions of energy activity are a lot less daunting to keep track of and access. Particularly against the backdrop of greater demand for sustainability transparency, the latest reporting and mitigation strategies can help ensure you remain aligned with compliance audits.

By possessing the specialized knowledge – and adjacent technologies such as expense management tools to gain control of costs – TMCs are brought in to circumnavigate the complexities of travel management, leading to smooth workforce travel and optimal savings. By relying on the expertise of a TMC, you can trust that the most cost-effective travel strategies, including itineraries and routes, are selected. Additionally, exclusive partnerships and relationships are another benefit that TMCs possess, meaning access to exclusive benefits that wouldn’t be possible when managing travel internally.

Proving Your Sustainability Credentials

Alongside cost savings, TMCs can support time efficiency. Already tasked with a considerable workload, Supply Chain and Procurement Managers are on unchartered ground to address Scope 3 emissions and comply with global sustainability efforts. To streamline the process and mitigate some of this increasing workload, TMCs already have the expertise and technologies to support track and offset Scope 3 emissions. Professional support can help you ensure that sustainability isn’t just a slogan but a practice that runs through the effort action your business takes.

Digging beyond the surface of sustainability, at ATPI, we provide due diligence to ensure that your network of suppliers is aligned with your commitment to emission reduction. Understanding that the supply network significantly impacts your carbon footprint, it’s important to align yourself with partners and stakeholders that are certified and measurable in their sustainability efforts. By taking the time to monitor, research, and measure potential partners, we make recommendations that will adhere to your ESG goals.

Monitoring external organization’s emissions records will naturally support your operations, verify your credentials, and foster trust among stakeholders when the time comes to back up your sustainability claims and commitment to responsible business practices.

Your internal sustainability track record is even more important, which is why ATPI can help you develop a strategy that works for you and the communities in which you operate. As conversations evolve, so should your approach. That is why it’s essential to maintain a strategy that develops as the world does while remaining anchored to the core foundations of ESG frameworks.

Working alongside a travel and events management company means you aren’t alone in your sustainability journey. You have a critical and unbiased resource to capture data, report on emissions, rely on expert recommendations, instill stakeholder belief in your mission, and invite subject matter experts to share their expertise.

Streamlining Travel Management Processes

Alongside unrivalled expertise, TMCs come equipped with the latest technologies and platforms to streamline all travel requirements. The cutting-edge tools and technologies at our disposal create seamless booking experiences while providing intelligent data insights for optimal travel.

The role of technology is particularly vital within the energy industry, which often faces unique travel requirements relating to crew change rotations on far-reaching and diverse assets, as well as ensuring the high standards of safety, compliance, and duty of care synonymous with the industry are not just met but exceeded. Technology is necessary in the industry, leveraging the latest innovations to avoid the hurdles of energy travel while considering the trusted crew management systems that operators have in place.

Via platforms that offer automated booking, real-time monitoring, and instant communication to support coordination between crew personnel and travel managers, a technology-driven approach addresses the unique needs of the industry whether oil and gas or renewables.

By partnering with a TMC, we can help guide your travel policy with technology, ease, and accessibility at its core. Travel policies are at their most effective when they can be tracked and via monitoring software, customizable and automated reports can pinpoint areas for improvement with your travel policy to help improve operators for you as a business and for your travelers.