FCm Mobile gives travellers access to their itineraries, enables them to receive flight status notifications and to check-in for flights.

It also provides travel information such as airport guides, currency conversion and weather forecasts.

The solution allows FCm’s travel teams to stay in touch with clients while they are on the move, providing up-to-the-minute information via their mobile devices.

FCm carried out a six month review of mobile phone solutions and apps currently available for the travel market before reaching the decision to partner with Mantic Point.

Katie Thomas, global product manager traveller services, FCm Travel Solutions said: “We are excited about launching FCm Mobile and delighted to be working with Mantic Point. After an extensive review we found Mantic Point could meet all of our commercial and technology objectives, and customer requirements for traveller mobile services.

“This is a fully integrated product within FCm’s suite of global technology tools and not simply a resale of an existing mobile solution on the market.

“FCm Mobile, using the Mantic Point platform, has the ability to integrate with external databases, GDS systems and provides multi-language capability.”

Thomas added: “It provides FCm with a globally consistent application to ensure business travel for our customers is quick, easy and instantly accessible.”

“When we launch FCm Mobile our customers will not only have all of their travel information at their fingertips but those using the FCm Portal product will be able to access both tools with the same login details. Down the track users will have consistent content across both products.”

It’s anticipated the mobile app will be launched across most major regions within FCm’s network in the next few months, with the travel management company now in the final testing phase.

“Right now we’re testing with clients. We’re also in the process of revising the look and feel of the app and processes involved with loading traveller data globally from multiple markets. Integration of the tool with the FCm Portal product is also well underway,” explained Thomas.

Kazakhstan

At the same time, FCm Travel Solutions’ ambitious growth plans continue with the company recently sealing a new agreement with a leading travel agency in Kazakhstan.

RBT-Kazakhstan is headquartered in Ust-Kamenogorsk and has two business travel centres, including one in Ust-Kamenogorsk and another in Aktau.

RBT-Kazakhstan is also in the process of setting up a new office in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, which is expected to be operational within the next two months.

The agency specialises in travel management for firms in the oil and gas sectors with teams highly experienced in group travel bookings for staff rosters, supplier contract negotiations and 24/7 travel services.

General manager of FCm’s network in Europe, Franziskus Bumm said: “This new partner agreement in Kazakhstan will further strengthen FCm’s travel management industry specialisation.

There are more than 200 oil and gas fields in Kazakhstan and a reported $7 billion worth of foreign investment in the country’s oil reserves in the Caspian Sea.

“Its crucial FCm has on-the-ground local teams in this region to service both local companies and multinational firms looking to capitalise on the natural resources industry. Kazakhstan’s market is growing quickly, which is why the demand for corporate travel services is also rising.

“The Kazakhstan partnership is one of a few partner agreements FCm recently has signed off on, which signals that we are on track with projected growth targets,” added Bumm.

With teams now located in places like Angola and Kazakhstan, FCm is increasingly penetrating some of the more unique markets, which are being recognised for their broad commercial appeal,” concluded Bumm.