2016 Review of SpringAhead Travel Expense Management

• Product is affordably priced
• Easy to use interface requires little training
• Expense management is available online or through Tallie Expense Management Mobile app
• Product offers excellent integration with third party applications

Potential Weaknesses

• Help and support page could use some updating

From the 2016 reviews of travel expense management systems.

Basic System Functions 4.5 Stars

Designed for mid-sized businesses, SpringAhead offers both online time tracking and expense management capability. The user interface is structured after a standard expense report, so users can easily enter data to create a report. Users can quickly upload or fax receipts, and transactions can be downloaded directly from credit card statements. Users can easily categorize transactions, divide expenses by project, or split business and personal expenses using the itemization tools that are included with the product. Integration with SmartVault provides uses with document management capabilities for easy access now and in the future.

Annotation capability allows users to easily annotate each transaction for future reference, and also helps to streamline the approval process by eliminating potential questions. Along with expense management, SpringAhead also offers time tracking and project tracking capabilities, as well as invoicing functionality. Those using the timesheets can track time on a daily or weekly basis, as well as by time-in/time-out functionality. Multiple time types such as employee, contractor, hourly or salaried employees can be managed from a single interface, and users can also attach any related notes to a timesheet. The Project Tracking function allows managers to easily manage time for each active project, as well as any related expenses incurred for a particular project.

Expense & Management Functions 4.75 Stars

SpringAhead allows managers to implement various control mechanisms when setting up their business parameters. Things like reimbursement rates, receipt requirements, and mileage reimbursement rates are all recorded in SpringAhead, providing employees with set guidelines that are easy to follow, and managers with clean, accurate expense reports. Management can also create an automated approvals process that suits their business, whether that’s a single manager, or multiple levels of approval. Approval criteria can also be set up using parameters such as dollar amounts, person, project or company, ensuring that each required approver is forwarded expense reports and timesheets in a timely manner, and that those documents are then forwarded to the appropriate personnel. SpringAhead contains foreign currency conversion tools, so users can easily track expenses from multiple countries, with currency rates converted automatically for easy reimbursement. Automated email reminders can help to remind those about pending approvals, and users can easily view all timesheets and expense reports, whether they are approved or pending.

SpringAhead integrates with several third party accounting applications, allowing users to create invoices for expense reimbursement or timesheets directly in an accounting system.

Mobile Features 5 Stars

Tallie Expense Report Software allows users to easily track expenses using a mobile device. Users can simply snap a photo of a receipt, import credit card transactions, track mileage with the built in GPS device that tracks mileage but simply pressing start and stop options on the phone. Receipts can also be forwarded directly to Tallie from online merchants for quick expense management. Auto-categorization capability allows Tallie to easily categorize expenses based on previous expense history, and the product will also create an expense report, bundling all expenses together for a single report, with users able to move expenses between reports as needed. The product will also flag policy exceptions, detect duplicate entries, and provide management with status updates.   Conveniently, Tallie also will sync with QuickBooks products, as well as Xero, Intacct, and Bill.com.

Integration Options 4.75 Stars

SpringAhead offers excellent integration options, with the product offering solid integration with all QuickBooks products, offering direct integration and eliminating duplicate entry in both systems. Data such as hours, bill rates, pay rates, product descriptions and notes can all be transferred between applications. The product also integrates with other third-party accounting applications such as Sage 50 and Microsoft Dynamics, along with payroll products such as Paychex and SurePayroll, as well as recruiting software from WinSearch, MaxHire, Sendouts, and Bullhorn. Finally, integration with SmartVault provides system users with excellent document management capability by storing documents such as receipts and invoices. And integration with SmartVault allows users to easily store receipts with their related documents for easy access.  SpringAhead also includes a series of data import tools, so data can be easily imported into the product during setup. Solid reporting options are available in the product, and all reports can be easily exported to Excel for further customization.

Help/Support 4.25 Stars

SpringAhead offers users 24-7 access to their support platform, where users can access a variety of help topics such as setup documentation, general setting, manuals and guides, and troubleshooting. Various trainings and webinars are also offered, with users able to browse through a list of upcoming events. Telephone support is available during extended business hours, and users also have access to support via email as well.

Summary & Pricing

SpringAhead is a solid option for mid-sized businesses looking for a web-based product that offers solid expense report management, as well as additional features such as time tracking, invoicing, and project tracking. SpringAhead is currently priced at $50.00 per month, with an additional $5.00 for each user license over 10. Those new to the product can also request a free product demo to try the product out for themselves.

2016 Star Rating 4.5 Stars