HRG will handle electronic booking process

Switching UK defence business travel booking to a joint venture between the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) and IT specialists Capgemini, will save the Ministry of Defence (MOD) £35m ($68m) per year.

Britain’s armed forces spend a vast £300m annually between the Royal Navy, Air Force and Army as well as MOD personnel, bringing the total users to a potential 300,000 and the new service, known as Defence Travel, aims to replace all paper-based processes.

HRG and Capgemini will run the facility on behalf of the MOD following a trial involving some 6,000 members of the Armed Forces in a number of countries and units.

Better negotiation

Service personnel will now be able to compare budget airlines with scheduled carriers or rail for the first time and that data will be saved so that the MOD can negotiate better deals with travel providers.

“Defence Travel is providing [us with] the tools to manage travel better,” said Defence Travel modernisation team leader Group Captain Andy Towler. “The management information [being delivered] is already enabling the Department to wield its purchasing power with carriers and starting to provide the detail we need to manage travel effectively at the strategic level.”

Other companies supporting Capgemini as subcontractors in the Defence Travel project include Carlson Wagonlit Travel with its internet portal and help desk, while IBM subsidiary Cognos provides the business intelligence and management information software. KDS will offer its online travel management solution, KDS Corporate.

HRG will support the electronic booking tool process on all ticketing as well as providing assistance with more complex itineraries.

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