Markham, ON � December 17, 2003 � NORTHWIND, a provider of enterprise property management and reservation solutions for hospitality, announced today Suburban Franchise Systems Inc. (SFS) has selected NORTHWIND to automate 65 of its extended stay hotels with the Maestro� Front Office system. The Maestro system will be deployed on a secure ASP architecture that incorporates a centralized database to consolidate chain information. Suburban Franchise Systems will take advantage of Maestro long-term stay property functionality and utilize consolidated reporting, trend analysis, and forecasting to support the brand�s sales and marketing strategies. The system rollout is scheduled for completion by May 2004. �Suburban Franchise Systems wanted an ASP front office solution that would be fast, simple to use, and allow us to consolidate property operating information into an easily accessed database for ownership review. NORTHWIND�s Maestro system delivers all these things,� said Kevin Lewis, President of Suburban Franchise Systems. �The ASP environment has many advantages over client-server systems, not the least of which is the cost savings to franchisees of not requiring an IT person at our hotels.� Lewis went on to explain that many SFS franchisees own multiple properties. The Maestro ASP system will let them use the Internet to access their hotels� consolidated financial information remotely, wherever they are, for real-time business analysis and more informed decision making. Warren Dehan, President of NORTHWIND�s US Operations said, �We are pleased to have a relationship with Suburban Franchise Systems. SFS is unique because it is an extended-stay hotel company that requires corporate access to its centralized database. Maestro�s robust extended-stay property functionality was a perfect fit in an ASP implementation; the Maestro Analytics data-mining engine will allow SFS franchisees to view operating information remotely in a variety of formats.� Additionally, because nearly all of Maestro�s Front Office functions are accessed from a single screen, Suburban Franchise Systems property staff are able to learn the system quickly. Suburban Franchise Systems properties will share the same client database for instant guest recognition system-wide, and for security individual hotels will have their own protected reservation databases. SFS will use consolidated chain statistical information to develop best practices across all properties. Each SFS hotel will have its own Yield Management module for rate maximization. NORTHWIND also will provide interface technology for credit card processing, call accounting, voice mail and other property-based systems. About NORTHWIND
Based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, with a network of dealers and offices worldwide, NORTHWIND is a leading supplier of software for hotel owners and operators who need to manage their enterprise in a real time environment for maximum operational control and profitability. Designed to handle any size hotel, resort, meeting/conference center, multi-property and for the enterprise, NORTHWIND's Maestro solution offers the most productive working environment, which includes the following suite of products: PMS, Sales & Catering, Club/Spa Management, Corporate Reservations Office, Multi-Property Management, Condo/Owner Management, Yield Management, GDS Connectivity and ResEze (Internet Reservations). This comprehensive multi-platform (Windows 9X/NT/2000/XP, Unix/Linux, Terminal Server & Web Enabled) suite is recognized as the solution of choice for progressive and demanding organizations. NORTHWIND is a total solution provider that offers leading-edge technologies, and unparalleled training and support. About Suburban Franchise Systems A leader in the economy extended stay-lodging segment, Suburban Franchise Systems, Inc. is an Atlanta-based, franchisee-owned company, which owns and operates 63 Suburban Extended Stay Hotels throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.suburbanhotels.com. |
