The collaboration combines BCD’s AI-powered Tripsource platform with Emburse’s travel and expense capabilities. According to the companies, the integration will connect and automate the flow of travel and expense data from booking through reimbursement.
The connected workflow will include embedded policy controls and financial intelligence. It is intended to bring travel booking and expense management together while increasing automation, strengthening policy governance and supporting operational efficiency.
For travellers, the companies said the integration is expected to reduce manual administrative tasks and accelerate reimbursement. Travel managers will have access to simplified policy compliance processes and real-time data, while finance managers will receive forecasting information intended to support financial risk management.
Mike Janssen, Global Chief Commercial Officer at BCD, said: “BCD’s Open by Design strategy connects the entire travel ecosystem, bringing together travel, payments, expense, and data harnessing the power of AI to deliver savings, greater visibility, smarter decisions and continuous program optimization. By integrating booking, access to data, and policy controls more deeply with Emburse, we are helping travelers and finance teams simplify the traveler experience while improving compliance and operational efficiency.”
Michele Shepard, Chief Revenue Officer at Emburse, said: “Travel decisions are business decisions, yet the data and workflows surrounding them have traditionally remained disconnected. Travel & Expense in Motion is Emburse’s vision for changing that: seamless, AI-embedded, intelligently guided journey in which data and insights move with the traveler from booking through expense and reconciliation. What sets this partnership apart is that it is the only collaboration between a TMC and an expense provider to embed AI directly into connected travel and expense, bringing intelligence and guidance into the moments when decisions are made. Together with BCD, we’re connecting travel and financial workflows earlier – helping organizations guide spend proactively, strengthen control and give travelers a simpler experience”.
Beyond the technology integration, BCD Travel and Emburse will work together on customer engagements, sales enablement and further product development. The companies said the expanded partnership will allow organisations to select different travel and expense solutions while providing employees and finance teams with a connected workflow.
Additional information about customer availability and future product developments is expected to be announced in the coming months.
BCD Travel and Emburse will present the connected travel and expense management experience at the GBTA Convention in Chicago through the BCD Marketplace lounge.
Convention attendees will be shown how Tripsource and Emburse can connect travel planning and booking with policy guidance, expense creation and reconciliation. The companies will also demonstrate how data can move between the systems to reduce manual processes and identify potential savings and programme optimisation opportunities earlier.
The expanded integration is designed to create a continuous travel and expense journey while allowing organisations to select the technology solutions that meet their individual requirements.