Zoho Expense has taken a significant step beyond simple expense management by introducing Trip Desk. This new module, currently in beta and available upon request, aims to provide businesses with an all-in-one platform for travel planning and expense management. Here’s a look at what Trip Desk brings to the table and some first-hand insights into its features and potential.
Key Features and Functionality
- A Shift from Expense Tracking to Full Travel Planning: Zoho Expense’s Trip Desk module moves the platform into the travel management sphere, akin to having an in-house travel agent for businesses. It offers tools for employees to submit trip requests, including travel preferences and custom details.
- Seamless Approval and Booking Processes: Admins can approve these requests, suggest travel options like flights and hotels, and even book the travel on behalf of employees. This eliminates the need for constant back-and-forth communication, as all interactions happen within the platform.
- Custom Fields for Tailored Travel Plans: Trip Desk supports custom fields to capture detailed trip requirements, such as preferred airports, mileage for car trips, and dietary needs. These details ensure travel plans are highly personalized to meet individual and company standards.
Real-Time Collaboration Made Simple
One of the standout features of Trip Desk is its collaborative nature:
- Shared Visibility: Both admins and end users can view and access the same trip information, such as airline tickets and hotel reservations. This shared visibility simplifies coordination and minimizes miscommunication.
- Multi-Traveler Management: Planning group trips has become much more manageable. Users can add other team members to a trip, enabling everyone to see options and updates through their Zoho Expense accounts.
- Integrated Booking Options: Admins can present employees with various travel options—such as flights at different price points or hotels with varying amenities—allowing them to choose the best fit before booking.
Useful Integrations for Modern Travel
Zoho Expense integrates with Lyft and Uber for Business, making ride expenses easier to track. Trips booked under the business account automatically appear in the platform, reducing manual reporting and enhancing workflow efficiency. While not extensively explored yet, Zoho has hinted at integrations with other travel platforms to further streamline booking directly from the module.
Areas of Improvement
While Trip Desk shows significant promise, users have noted a few areas for improvement:
- Limited Admin Access to User Data: For example, admins currently can’t view employee passport information or loyalty program numbers. This oversight means admins need to reach out manually to retrieve details like pre-check or loyalty numbers when booking on behalf of employees.
- Navigation Quirks: Some minor issues, such as expenses showing up on an end user’s homepage instead of the admin’s, have been reported. These are small but notable usability tweaks that need attention as the tool develops.
Despite these initial hiccups, the beta version of Trip Desk is functional and useful for many companies. Users who have tried it are optimistic, citing that the platform’s foundation is strong and expected to improve.
What’s Next for Zoho Expense?
Zoho is positioning itself to compete with established corporate travel management solutions. While names like Brex and other business-focused travel platforms dominate this space, Zoho’s decision to expand its offerings is smart. It remains to be seen if they will rename Zoho Expense to reflect this broader scope, but the move is logical as they build a comprehensive travel and expense management tool.
As this module continues to evolve, it’s clear that Zoho is committed to making business travel simpler and more integrated with company processes. Trip Desk is a strong step in that direction, merging the best of expense management and travel planning into one cohesive system.