Travel management company Direct ATPI is to allow clients to view, plan and discuss business trips through the Microsoft Teams communications platform.
The development, which is being formerly announced during Business Travel Show Europe in London, will see Direct ATPI integrate its profile, invoice, approval and itinerary platform with Microsoft Teams. The TMC first mentioned this planned integration in November 2022.
Direct ATPI said that it would initially pilot the Teams integration with a “select group” of clients before expanding the service to all clients in the autumn.
Jenny Thornton, director of digital services at Direct ATPI, said: “Direct ATPI has a long history of being one step ahead and defining new ways of working, and this innovation will continue to bring us closer to where our customers are, as well as appeal to the tech-savvy and time-conscious travellers of the future.”
Phase one of the integration will allow clients to update traveller profiles, as well as view, plan, discuss and approve business trips within one application without having to use other browser-based platforms.
The second phase later this year will see Direct ATPI integrating its concierge service into Microsoft Teams, allowing more self-service options for travellers.
The TMC’s clients will also be able to search, compare and book travel services through Amadeus’ Cytric Easy booking platform, which has been integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite of tools.
Direct ATPI last year launched WhatsApp messaging for clients, which allows travellers to remain in touch with bookers while on their trips.