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Penn State University Leverages SAP Concur Experience to Improve IT Spend Management

In an SAP Concur podcast conversation, Bennett Ulmer, Operations Analyst and Manager of Analysis and Audit for Penn State University, shared how he leveraged an already successful travel and expense program to improve central IT processes. As one of the longest-running SAP Concur customers for more than 17 years, Penn State University expanded pre-approval functionality from travel to corporate card programs through cross-departmental collaboration and trust. The program integrates expense data with the financial ERP system. Ulmer emphasized the importance of using existing systems rather than buying new tools in budget-constrained higher education environments, and advised including IT and…

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Impact and considerations

This case demonstrates how higher education institutions can improve IT spend management efficiency through cross-departmental collaboration and existing expense management platforms, offering reference value for organizations facing budget pressures and pursuing digital transformation.

Key points

  • Penn State University is a long-running SAP Concur customer for more than 17 years, continuously improving its spend management program.
  • The university expanded travel pre-approval functionality to its corporate card program, leveraging user familiarity with the SAP Concur interface to reduce the learning curve.
  • Expense data integrates with the financial ERP system, making it easier and more streamlined for staff to create expense reports.
  • Ulmer emphasized using existing systems rather than buying new tools when budgets are tight.
  • Including IT and business analysts early in decision-making is recommended for optimal collaboration.

Sources and time

Primary source
SAP Concur
Other sources
0
First source publication
29 Jun 2022, 19:47
Page published
14 Aug 2026, 08:34
Last updated
29 Jun 2022, 19:47
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