Original Date: 11/03/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The Travel Information System (TIS), a multi-platform application, can electronically process travel requests and authorizations. After the employee enters the travel data into the system, TIS verifies and validates the information in real-time. Next, the system electronically transfers the information to the travel services department for final processing. TIS expedites the reservation process by increasing the accuracy of the data and allowing electronic accessibility.

Prior to 1994, Oak Ridge employees submitted paper travel requests through their supervisors for written approval. Next, the paperwork was either mailed or hand-carried to the travel services department for processing. Then, the travel services department re-keyed the pertinent information into a travel database for data capture and to determine cost summaries. Common problems with this process included invalid data with the account numbers and human error when translating the information from the paperwork. The travel services department had to correct all errors before the travel request could be finalized. Transferring and validating large quantities of information created cumbersome and labor-intensive work.

First released in 1994, TIS consists of 3,000 users and includes personnel in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (the Y-12 Plant, the East Tennessee Technology Park, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Portsmouth, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky. As a multi-platform application, the system can be launched from Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT, Macintosh, and Motif. In addition, TIS employs a fourth generation language (UnifAce), a Graphical User Interface, and a relational database management system (Oracle). Each environment provides point and click technology. Components of TIS include entry of the travel authorization form; approve or deny function of the authorization form; query and update capabilities; duplication of travel profiles; on- line access to General Services Administration (GSA) rates; and electronic mail notification.

Upon entering TIS’s travel authorization module, the user can create a new form; view and update a previously- stored form; or produce a duplicate from a previously-stored form. Within the travel approval module, the user can view any forms which were previously approved or denied; or view travel authorizations in queue for approval. Action may be taken to electronically approve or deny any outstanding travel authorization forms. In the GSA module, the user can look up the diem rates of designated cities. TIS allows the user to process, track, and maintain the records of all travel forms.

Employees do not need any formal training to operate TIS. Instead, the user-friendly system provides an on-line user guide, and has reduced the average process time of travel authorization forms from about two weeks to two days. With approximately 73,000 travel forms already processed through TIS, Oak Ridge anticipates an annual efficiency savings of $200,000.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.