The survey was undertaken in June 2007 and generated responses from over 2,000 users of web-based expense ssoftware. The companies surveyed ranged from small start-ups to blue-chip organisations across the United Kingdom.
The survey respondents included both users who submit or approve expenses and accounts staff responsible for processing expenses.
94.1% of employees who submit or approve expenses claims preferred the web-based software solution over the traditional paper process and ranked the top reason for their preference as follows:
– Ease of use (60% of respondents)
– Speed of entry (10%)
– History and reports (7%)
– Access from anywhere (7%)
100% of accounts staff surveyed preferred the web-based software solution over the traditional paper process and ranked the top reason for their preference as follows:
– Ease of use (29% of respondents)
– Interface to accounting software (13%)
– Ease of administration (13%)
– Reports (10%)
James Brewis, Managing Director of WebExpenses, said, “This remarkable
survey result confirms that submitting and processing expenses online is vastly more efficient than the traditional paper expenses process.”
“We often hear from users of web-based expenses software that they are delighted that they no longer have to struggle by with a paper process. The survey result confirms that this is sentiment holds true for everyone involved in the process, whether submitting, approving or processing expenses.”
“We conducted a similar survey in 2005 and both response rates and acceptance levels have increased markedly since then. This is a reflection of the development for the market for such solutions. Adoption rates are accelerating as more and more organisations leave the paper process behind.
And it’s irreversible – once you’ve tasted life without the universal timewaster that is the paper-based expenses process, there’s no going back.”
“Moreover, we think that the trend in the expenses market is a reflection of a broader trend in the market for Software as a Service. Adoption rates are accelerating as web-based software is now achieving mainstream status.”