2016 Review of Concur Expense

• Product is scalable; available in four editions
• Reporting options are good in all editions
• Offers a variety of apps to choose from
• Product support use worldwide

Potential Weaknesses

• Product setup and training can be cumbersome and time-consuming for larger organizations

From the 2016 reviews of travel expense management systems.

Basic System Functions 5 Stars

Concur is a cloud-based series of apps designed to manage expenses, travel, invoicing, business intelligence, messaging, and mobile expense and travel management. Web-based, Concur can be used on a variety of platforms, including desktop and laptop systems, as well as tablets and smartphones. Concur is available in four editions; Small Business, Standard, Professional, and Premium, with the Small Business version limited to use in the U.S. or U.K only.

While the Small Business version offers decent functionality, functionality such as credit card import, automatic expense report creation, invoice capture and routing, audit services, user support desk access, and financial systems connectors are only available in the Standard version or above. Users can easily purchase a single app such as Concur Expense, or Concur Travel, combine the two options, or pick and choose the apps that they need. Easy receipt capture using a smartphone makes it easy to manage receipts, and users can easily book travel from anywhere. The user interface for both the desktop and mobile versions of Concur is easily navigated, making good use of tabs ad buttons to expedite data entry, or eliminate it all together.   

Expense & Management Functions 5 Stars

Concur reduces or eliminates the need for manual data entry of expenses, with users able to quickly capture receipt images using a smart phone. All captured images can then be uploaded directly to Concur, where they are itemized and categorized, with receipts attached to the newly created expense report. Users can also email, fax, or upload saved images to be included in an expense report. The Available Receipts Library allows users to quickly upload receipts and store them in the library, then later access the receipts necessary for the expense report.

Credit card expenses can also be automatically captured with the integrated credit card feed, so all travel and other expenses can be included in the expense report. Managing travel is also easy with Concur’s mobile travel and expense app. Users can easily book travel, manage flight and seat assignments, change a flight, book a hotel, or rent a car using the mobile app. And once travel information is booked using Concur, the information will later automatically populate an expense report using the itinerary and credit card charges incurred as a result of the trip.

Concur Travel & Expense supports multiple currencies and languages, making it an ideal travel and expense management solution for larger businesses with international locations. The product will automatically calculate the current exchange rate, and can also track car mileage allowance as well. Concur also utilizes global distribution system, making it easy for international travelers to easily access both negotiated and published airfares, as well as any web-only fares.

Concur Travel also provides managers with the ability to quickly approve or decline travel arrangements, including and changes that are made after the initial trip has been booked.

Expense report approvers are assigned during the setup process and have a variety of options when approving an expense report, including approving the report as is, attaching additional receipts or other documents to the report, sending the report back to the employee for modification, or perform line item adjustments on some expenses in order to comply with stated policy. Approvers will always have access to all approved expense reports from the general menu, if needed.  

Mobile Features 5 Stars

Concur’s mobile application works with iOS, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry devices, with users able to download the app from their commonly accessed app store. Using the mobile app, users can easily snap a picture of a receipt, with automatic creation, itemization, and categorization of the associated expense entry, with the receipt attached. Managers can also use their mobile device to review and approve (or reject) expense reports.

Integration Options 4.75 Stars

Concur integrates with a variety of systems including NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Workday, Intacct, and of course, SAP. Managers can also quickly access a complete, up-to-date view of all current expense data, and the system also offers detailed reporting options, including a series of report templates that can be utilized as needed. The Standard version of Concur offers connectors for third party financial applications, and both the Professional and Premium versions offers custom, hosted integration with financial applications as well as a the Salesforce Sales Cloud Connector. Both the Professional and Premium versions of Concur can be used worldwide.

Help/Support 4.75 Stars

The Concur Support portal offers users access to numerous tools and guides including the Training and How-To Guides, which are available for all of the apps offered by Concur. A knowledgebase is also available for system users, and those using the Standard, Professional, and Premium versions of Concur also have access to the User Support Desk, where they can contact support via telephone or email for assistance.

Summary & Pricing

Concur is available in four editions; Small Business, Standard, Professional, and Premium. The Small Business version of the product is available for immediate access at a cost of $8.00 per user per month, with a free, 30-day trial available as well. For those interested in the other editions, users can obtain an online quote directly from Concur’s website. The mobile app is included in all editions of Concur at no additional cost.

2016 Rating 5 Stars