MINNEAPOLIS (July 18, 2012) — InterplX, the number two independent provider of expense management and purchase card transaction processing software (GBTA booth #1153), has launched a new channel program aimed at helping travel management companies (TMCs) enhance the value delivered to shared clients. The ExpenseNet^® TMC Advantage partner program is designed to enable the TMC and their corporate clients to identify "maverick" spend and focus training and guidance on those travelers in order to improve the utilization rate of the TMC.

The allure of frequent flyer, renter, and stayer programs and/or the notion that the traveler can find a cheaper rate than the TMC often entice the corporate traveler to book outside of the prescribed travel procurement process; i.e. "maverick" spend. According to InterplX's audit studies, "maverick" spend can range between 15 to 85 percent of a company's total travel budget - depending on the company's policy and enforcement practices.

While others in this space suggest "open booking" will provide benefit for the Travel Manager and end user, InterplX sees a clear value in strategically partnering with TMCs to promote the resale and use of ExpenseNet^®--InterplX's SaaS base expense automation solution--and thereby gain visibility to 100% of their client's actual airline, car rental, and hotel spending. Without additional burden on the traveler, the TMC Advantage program provides a partner TMC with access to the data necessary to identify "maverick" spend and work with the client to improve compliance. For TMC's, this "unmanaged" spend represents an opportunity to enhance the value of their services by assisting in the procurement of travel services across a client's entire population of travelers.

"With ExpenseNet^® in place, the TMC and the client are better able to control 'maverick' spending, as well as support preferred vendor contract compliance, travel policy compliance and increased value in the TMC/corporate client relationship," said George Roscoe, director of marketing for InterplX. "The TMC Advantage program is a common sense approach to booking integration that provides a clear way for our TMC partners to deliver superior value while maximizing their client profitability."

InterplX's approach is a significant shift from others in the industry that are promoting reservation data as a form of expense report data integration. According to Roscoe, the after the fact "combined analytics" available through ExpenseNet^® enables booking integration and compliance while keeping the expense report experience fast and easy for the end user. An additional advantage cited by Roscoe is the ability for the TMC to be able to drill down into a complete set of airline, car rental, and hotel expense data, regardless of the booking process used.

"Others are focusing on a closed approach to booking integration – forcing clients to use their booking tools and their expense tools," explained Roscoe. "In the end, we believe it makes far more sense to allow the client to choose the best booking tools and services to meet their needs. We believe having a diverse approach is the right one for our clients and their TMC partners."

Visit InterplX at booth #1153 in the GBTA exhibit hall in Boston July 23 through 25.