As we are seeing in almost everything else, technology is shaping the future of mobility program management. Software solutions to assist with the management of these programs have been available for a while now but recent discussions and work with industry representatives have opened our eyes to major developments on the horizon.

Generally, there are two options available to organizations looking for technology solutions for their program:

– Using the relocation management company’s (RMC) platform offered along with their services, or

– Purchasing a standalone program from an independent software supplier to interface with the RMC or an in-house system.

Although they have been getting better with time, some of the complaints we often hear include, lack of or difficulty with customizations, timeliness and accuracy or even existence of data required for planning and budgeting, complicated procedures and the need for real-time information for families in transit.

We thought we would share how technology is evolving to improve the efficiency of your mobility programs.

Many of the developments feature improved user experience. On the employee side, think Siri or Alexa! Voice-activated chat boxes will soon be available to increase efficiency in tracking progress, finding answers to questions or initiating processes. This feature combined with sophisticated mobile access will enable an easy, no fuss relocation process. Should we dare to envisage augmented reality as the next step…

Mobile apps will also be able to include a GPS tracking functionality allowing the mobility team and suppliers to track the family in transit and provide the most appropriate and timely country specific assistance (e.g. emergency assistance, immigration or taxation) when needed, of course, all compliant with privacy regulations.

On the corporate side of things, software developments are focussing much of their efforts on improved access to meaningful and real-time metrics. Much more emphasis is being placed on quantifying all aspects of the relocation cycle in order to help the mobility team better understand employee needs, as well as support their internal requirements, such as acceptance rates, spending patterns, exceptions, trends, projected costs, accruals, etc. Corporations will have access to more accurate data at a more granular level enabling greater data mining opportunities for planning purposes or when facing immediate or emerging problems.

Corporations will also be able to obtain information about issues that are not typically viewed as quantifiable. Complaints or service issues will be logged, timed, costed, rated, flagged for future reference and included in customized exception reports as defined by the user.

These new platforms will be customizable or configurable and will easily handle various program designs, from traditional to Core/Flex and lump sum programs, including multi-tiered approaches. They will have imbedded in them global and country specific security, immigration and taxation requirements and will be able to smoothly interface with other internal or third-party platforms.

We are but giving you a flavour of what is coming. With Ward O’Farrell Inc.’s long experience in the relocation business and vast network of contacts in the industry, we are well-placed to review the technological requirements of your mobility program. We would be delighted to hear from you!