INSIGHTS
Paper to platform. Why mining corporate travel needs smart tech
Relying on outdated processes and paper systems for corporate travel management just doesn’t cut it anymore. With pressure mounting to reduce costs, manage risk, and stay compliant, it's now or never to switch to tech solutions that simplify and streamline every aspect of your workforce travel. Here's why the resources industry needs smart travel tech
Too many moving parts, not enough visibility
Mining and resource companies manage a lot of logistics, literally. Travel is just one small cog. From managing itineraries for rotating crews to tracking last-minute bookings, corporate travel management can get complicated. Relying on disjointed systems makes it harder to track costs, manage approvals, and stay compliant, leaving your team scrambling to keep up and even simple tasks become time-consuming.
Scattered systems, scattered results
Managing multiple vendors for flights, ground transport, accommodation, and policy rules creates silos of information. When each travel element is handled in a separate system, you lose the big picture. Not to mention the challenge of managing traveller duty of care, responding to a crisis situation, and policy rules. That's where costly errors creep in, and where traveller safety and compliance risk slipping through the cracks.
One platform, one solution
Imagine finding everything you need, in one partner. Yes, it is possible. That partner is purpose-built travel technology. Get to know it, and let it get to know you. End-to-end travel technology is the smart way to manage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) travel—simplifying bookings, syncing with rosters, and maintaining a clear view of every trip, every traveller, and every dollar spent.
All the moving parts come together in one streamlined place. For resource and mining travel managers, this means fewer systems to juggle and less time spent on manual tasks.
Time and cost efficiencies
In industries that run 24/7, speed and savings matter. That goes for your time too. A connected platform means faster bookings, automated approvals, instant travel and product updates, and the visibility and control to pivot fast when plans change (because they will).
With worker travel being a large expense for oil, gas and mining operations, tech offers a portal to exclusive rates, negotiated client discounts, pre-approved group fares, industry bonuses and perks, Best Fare Of Day options and the ability to streamline complex itineraries. And your team can always tap into their dedicated travel consultant and account managers for extra support.
Automate high-volume bookings
Your people are your operation. Having workers onsite, on time, is everything. A tailored workforce travel platform supports large-scale, high-frequency bookings with tools built specifically for the complexities of FIFO life. By storing traveller profiles and preferences and syncing with rosters, you can remove cumbersome manual admin, reduce errors, and save time and money.
Specialist travel management companies (TMCs), such as FCM Travel, have automated bulk booking solutions to simplify high-volume travel. Bulk Travel Automation is FCM's solution for operations with crews on the move. By harnessing real-time flight - and seat - visibility during planning, the system can use your bulk data to efficiently book everyone at once. By automating the entire process, you’ll secure the best prices, slash confirmation times and eliminate booking errors - ensuring your crews arrive safely and your operation continues without costly disruptions
Mobile workforce support
When your team is spread across remote and hard to access sites, accessibility matters. A mobile app ensures workers have travel details at their fingertips, no matter where they are. Reducing downtime and giving them quick, convenient access to important travel details, bookings, and itineraries.
With remote resource travel, FIFO and DIDO workers face a more complicated commute than normal. A mobile travel app ensures mining and resource organisations can support their workforce to meet complex duty of care obligations. Instant messaging, weather alerts and travel changes can be sent direct to their devices in real-time.
Safety and risk management
Risk comes with the territory in the resource sector. From regions with political instability, to extreme weather, worker fatigue, and remote travel, every factor needs to be assessed and scrutinised. Travel technology can’t eliminate all risks, but it can help minimise and manage them.
A smart travel platform gives you the visibility to know where your people are and the tools to act fast. Think 24/7 tracking, weather and safety alerts, and built-in emergency comms to support duty of care obligations. By monitoring your workforce during travel, timely medical response or travel intervention can be implemented in case of an emergency.
Compliance concerns
The power of travel technology is a gift for compliance. Out of policy bookings, expenses and suppliers are a compliance nightmare you do not need in your life. Add in the risks of remote travel, worker fatigue and specialised transport suppliers, and compliance can quickly go out the window. Plugging your travel program into an online platform is the fastest way to regain, and maintain, control.
The FCM Platform is a fully integrated platform that brings everything into one place. From a single dashboard you can track compliance and drill down on the reporting you need.
Reporting, budgets and expense management
Data tells the real story. Smart interactive reports surface trends, track costs, and highlight opportunities to save. Whether monitoring policy compliance, reviewing average ticket prices, or comparing suppliers and benchmarking across industry players, detailed dashboards and downloadable reports empower mining companies to make informed decisions about their travel program.
Continual improvement
Smart tech is never set and forget. It moves fast, changes quickly and it’s always evolving. That’s why FCM’s Platform is built to continuously improve based on customer feedback. Implementing the tech is just the start of the journey. The trick is to balance tech, with a human touch. FCM follows up with in-house training, support and development. As the resource industry faces new challenges, FCM Platform will pivot and improve. Keeping pace with an industry that never sleeps.
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