| Markham, ON � January 23, 2007 - NORTHWIND,
provider of the industry standard Maestro
Enterprise Property Management Suite of hotel
software and reservation
solutions for hospitality, announced it is expanding its multi-module
Maestro PMS hospitality automation platform with the addition of several
new advanced features and modules requested by and developed in partnership
with independent corporate chain and resort property operators. Complete
roll out is slated for 2007.
All of the new Maestro modules utilize NORTHWIND�s single-image database
that maintains one record for all guest activity that optimizes accurate
account tracking, guest history and enables extensive CRM capabilities
for more effective marketing and guest recognition. Maestro�s new
modules include:
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Resort-wide Guest ID card � Maestro
now encodes personal mag-stripe ID cards that allow resort guests to charge
to their account from any authorized outlet or activity venue. All
postings are recorded in Maestro�s central guest database for accurate
revenue tracking;
-
Online table and event reservations
� Maestro�s ResEze online booking engine now gives guests the ability to
make dining, spa and reservations for other activities from a property�s
website. Online reservations keep guests in-house by enabling them
to plan and reserve their property activities before they arrive;
-
2-Way GDS � Maestro GDS is now a fully
2-way booking system that relies on industry-standard XML technology to
centrally control multiple reservation channels. The system is integrated
with Maestro Yield to maximize rates uniformly across all channels from
one screen;
-
Signature capture � in mid 2007 Maestro
will provide electronic signature capture to allow remote check-ins and
efficient guest information retention;
-
Online group booking and group block management
� This advanced Maestro ResEze functionality enables meeting planners and
group leaders to manage their group blocks by adding guests, canceling
group reservations online with security protection both control and convenience;
-
Gift card management � Maestro now
handles all aspects of gift card accounting including issuing, debiting
and crediting on the guest�s record;
-
Online condo ownership booking and account management
� Maestro�s online Condo Ownership Management system now enables owners
book reservations online for units they control and also to view the accounting
records for their unit�s performance by logging on to a secured webpage;
-
Text messaging for property maintenance and guest
communication � In 2Q 2007 Maestro will provide clients with
SMS text messaging to enable properties to contact guests via text messaging
on mobile phones and other digital communication devices.
 NORTHWIND�s
President of US Operations, Warren Dehan said, �We are committed to funding
research and development that increases revenue, boosts staff efficiency
and supports the needs of our client operators. Maestro is solidifying
its technology leadership position as we continue to provide advances
that benefit our clients� businesses and provide with a �360 degree
view� of their guests for both guest retention and marketing initiatives.�
Maestro Enterprise Suite
The Maestro Property Management Suite combines the full-function Maestro
Front Office System - used by hotels from 3,500 to 25 rooms - with a family
of specialized modules that includes:
-
PMS with Robust Group Management Features � Maestro is a cost effective,
easily mastered, multi-module automation suite for independent properties
and chains with comprehensive group handling functionality. It is
the foundation for NORTHWIND�s growing portfolio of modules;
-
Maestro GDS+ � An online, 2-way XML-based real-time reservation
engine with integrated Yield Management to easily control bookings and
maximize ADR for virtually all eReservation channels;
-
Maestro Owner Management � Fully integrated ownership accounting
functionality for timeshare and condo reservations and asset performance
reporting. The system now enables owners to book their own unit reservations
via Maestro ResEze and oversee their unit�s accounting and performance;
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Online Table Reservations - ResEze online table and event reservation
functionality gives guests the ability to make dining, spa and reservations
for other activities from a property�s website. Online reservations
keep guests in-house by enabling them to plan and reserve their property
activities before they arrive;
-
Maestro Sales & Catering � Manages group-convention sales and
function rooms, whether at one property or for a portfolio of hotels;
-
ResEze Web Booking Engine � Enables independent and multi-property
hotels to take advantage of the growing online revenue opportunity by providing
tools for guests, groups and corporate to book their own reservations and
activities from an operator's website;
-
Resort-wide Guest ID card � Maestro personal mag-stripe ID cards
allow resort guests to charge to their account from any authorized outlet
or activity venue. All postings are recorded in Maestro�s central
guest database for accurate revenue tracking;
-
Proactive Maestro Yield � A revenue manager that makes sophisticated
revenue optimization strategies easy to implement and track for multiple
booking channels, including Internet reservations, at one or more properties;
-
Maestro Analytics � A complete business intelligence software suite
that enables end-users to data-mine and interactively analyze critical
business information in real time for better informed decision making;
-
Maestro CRM � A robust technology solution that gives managers the
information to provide better guest service, build more profitable marketing
campaigns and to make the best decisions for booking new business;
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Work Order Maintenance � Enables businesses to track asset use and
schedule service and replacement; integrated with front office and owner
management modules;
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Maestro Spa & Activities Management � Enables resorts, hotels
and clubs to schedule treatment rooms, facilities and activities with real-time
integration to all other modules;
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Retail Point of Sale - A fully integrated module powered by Jencess
that automates property outlets, like pro shops or other stores that maintain
extensive inventories, to track and post guest purchases and monitor stock
levels;
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Maestro Fine Dining Point of Sale � Is a flexible POS for single-terminal
outlets or extensive multi-property network operations. The system
is linked to each guests� record so all F&B package reconciliation
is calculated automatically and reporting is accurate;
-
Golf Management - Is a world-class tee-time scheduling and tournament
system powered by Jencess for professional and private courses and clubs
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Club Membership Management � For property-based clubs, Maestro Club
Management powered by Jencess, automates membership, accounting and events
from the Maestro server;
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Maestro CRS � Supports a two-way interface to corporate sales offices;
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GEM Guest Experience Management � Captures guest responses electronically
and provides professional analysis of guest statistics to increase repeat
business and revenue;
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Maestro Multi-Property � This implementation is employed by corporate
reservation facilities and management offices to centrally manage and automate
a large number of properties on a single server with a single database;
additionally it can allow each property to operate on its own server with
own database, with consolidation at corporate. Many other implementation
options are available as the Maestro database and platform independence
allows it to be deployed in a myriad of configurations to satisfy corporate
needs.
About NORTHWIND
 NORTHWIND,
known in the hospitality industry for its service and state-of-the-art
Maestro technology, is widely respected for providing hotels, private organizations,
and corporate management companies with flexible software solutions that
increase productivity. NORTHWIND helps hotels understand their guests better
via a single-image database.
Based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, with a network of dealers and offices
worldwide, NORTHWIND is a leading supplier of software for all types of
hospitality operations including hotels, resorts, timeshares, condominiums,
seminaries, state parks, and clubs. Maestro applications are engineered
for operators who need to manage their enterprise in a real time environment
for the utmost operational control and profitability. Designed to
maximize the efficiency of any size single hotel or multi-property enterprise,
NORTHWIND's Maestro solution offers the most productive working environment,
which includes the following suite of products: PMS, Sales &
Catering, Spa & Activities Management, CRM, , Multi-Property Management,
Condo/Timeshare Owner Management, Yield Management, F&B POS & Online
Table Res, Retail POS, Golf Management, Club Membership Management, GDS
2 Way XML Connectivity, ResEze Web Booking Engine and Corporate Reservations
Office. This comprehensive multi-platform (Windows 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 offering leading-edge technologies, and unparalleled
training and support through its� Four Diamond Service Program. |