Tech Bytes: Ariba Upgrades Travel Component of System

Ariba Technologies said it will include new travel management capabilities in version 5.0 of its Operations Resource Management System, scheduled for release in September.

Ariba has pioneered the automation of a comprehensive range of capital management and corporate overhead details, including on-line purchasing of supplies. It is a member of the Open Buying on the Internet Consortium.

"Our customers have told us that travel and entertainment is 10% to 30% of their operating resource spending, and therefore an important area for cost savings," said David Rome, Ariba's vice president of marketing.

The T&E module would speed submission of expense reports, shorten reimbursement time, and improve finance department controls, Ariba said. It integrates with enterprise resource planning systems from SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and others.