Implementing new software for your travel business is an exciting and challenging step. TravelSpirit, the innovative software company based in Baarn, gives an idea of what to expect during the implementation process. We spoke with Lennard Huizer, one of the implementation specialists, to get more insight.
How do you start an implementation? ‘The implementation starts with an introductory meeting and an overview of the process,’ says Lennard. ‘We provide the customer with a ‘roadmap’, a guideline for the entire implementation process. We plan the various modules and draw up a timeline that we coordinate with the customer.’ The Importance of Efficient Progress Discussion TravelSpirit strives for efficient communication about the progress of the project. “For less complex issues, we hold online meetings to make quick adjustments,” notes Lennard. ‘For more complex issues, face-to-face interaction can actually work better, even for clients outside the Netherlands, where we also offer 1-on-1 (online) sessions.’ About the Launch Time, When can you expect to go ‘live’? “Going live depends on the progress and is discussed in consultation with the customer,” says Lennard. “We guide our customers through the entire process and only move on to the next phase when we are ready together. Generally, it takes 6-12 months to have everything fully operational.” Should all team members be involved in the implementation? ‘During the implementation, we usually work together with 1-2 employees who act as ‘super users’, Lennard confirms. “They play an essential role in training the rest of the team. In addition, TravelSpirit will soon be launching the TravelSpirit Academy to help new users become familiar with the system.” Personal involvement and expertise “At TravelSpirit, we attach great importance to personal involvement and good cooperation,” Lennard emphasizes. ‘At the start of the implementation, you meet the implementation specialist assigned to the project. Sometimes we add other colleagues with specific expertise to assist. This way we can guarantee a flexible and expert approach.’ In short, our conversation with Lennard Huizer underscores the importance of clear communication, personal involvement and expertise to ensure that the implementation process runs smoothly. Want to learn more about their software and how they can help you? Please do not hesitate to contact us.
