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.Ariane Systems Group Awarded Government Funding to Develop
Mobile Self-service Platform for Hospitality Industry



ATLANTA / August 10, 2009 -- Ariane Systems Group (Paris, France) is pleased to announce that its mobile check-in/check-out project, nicknamed �VIKI�, has been selected by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to receive government  financing as �one of the most innovative research and development projects for 2009�. The ERDF will fund 40% of the  development costs for this innovative, mobile hospitality self-service platform. 

�VIKI� will revolutionize the hospitality industry by enabling customers to check-in/check-out where and when they want - whether using a desktop computer, a laptop, a cell phone or another PDA. The features that will be offered with this software platform are countless, as it will integrate online mobile payment solutions and enable the user to modify their bills, addresses and guest profiles remotely. 

�The check-in/check-out procedures, often a source of frustration for hotel guests, have not changed in 15 years,� explains Laurent Cardot, Managing Director and co-founder of Ariane Systems. �Now, with our new mobile check-in/check-out application, guests will be able to check-in online from their computer before arriving at their hotel, or perform their check-out from their cell phone while comfortably sitting in a taxi on their way to the airport,� adds Cardot. �For 10 years, Ariane Systems has been deploying self-service check-in/check-out kiosks in hotel lobby areas. Our newest application, �VIKI�, anticipates the needs of our clients, many of whom are using cutting edge technologies in their everyday lives� adds Laurent Cardot. 

Ariane Systems has partnered with several companies to develop the innovative mobile application: LIP6, a research center specializing in telecommunications and information technology; Lemon Way, a start-up company specializing in mobile applications and the leader in mobile banking technologies; Hotel Performance, a major hospitality group; and Taos Technologies, experts in the deployment and support of custom developed software and guest-facing technologies including self-service checkin/ check-out kiosks in North America. 

Jeff Councilman, President of TAOS Technologies, LLC, said, �Ariane Systems continues to lead the charge to new innovation in hospitality guest-facing self-service solutions. The open architecture of their Allegro Suite software platform was critical in our decision to partner with them in North America. Going forward, its device independent architecture will enable hotel guests the controlled ability to interact with multiple hotel systems, and provide hotel owners an opportunity to reduce operating costs while focusing attention on maximizing the guest experience.� In June, Ariane Systems and Taos Technologies announced their joint venture, Ariane Systems North America (AS NA); Ariane Systems North America is led and managed by Taos Technologies, LLC in Atlanta, GA. 

About Ariane Systems 
Ariane Systems is the worldwide leading provider of the self check-in/check-out technology solutions for the hospitality industry. Founded in 1998 by Michel Lavandier and Laurent Cardot, Ariane has deployed over 1,500 kiosks installed at hotel properties in 15 countries. Currently, numerous hotel chains utilize Ariane�s self-service solutions to streamline their check-in/check-out process, including Pullman, Radisson, Golden Tulip, Holiday Inn, Campanile, B&B, Ibis and Novetel, among others. Based in Paris, France, Ariane Systems operates subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Middle East and now North America via its recent joint venture with Taos Technologies, LLC. For more information, please visit www.ariane-systems.com

About Taos Technologies 
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Taos Technologies is a leading provider of integrated technology solutions and custom software development services. The company�s mission is to be recognized as an important force in setting and maintaining the standards of software development services in the hospitality IT solutions market by providing customers with high-quality, world-class, and cost-effective products and solutions. For more information, please visit www.taosit.com

About the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 
The ERDF aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union. After having received projects submitted from three innovation European centers, and after a long selection phase, the jury selected eight research and development projects. The ERDF will finance these projects up to €3 million for a total project budget of €8 million. Local government funds made it known that they would finance a certain number of these projects alongside the ERDF up to €1.5 million. 

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Media Contact: 
Judy Willis (Fergusson)
Chief Marketing Officer & COO
MERGE Agency
404.974.4502
[email protected] 
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