Maestro Users Praise Expanded Diamond Plus Services and Online Training to Maximize Operator Profitability and Efficiency in Tough Economy

NORTHWIND continues to enhance Diamond Plus Service to help clients save time, increase revenue and staff productivity; adds live 1-on-1 on-demand training, new hire education and online Webinars

Markham, ON (PRWEB) January 20, 2009 -- NORTHWIND-Maestro PMS (http://www.maestropms.com/background.aspx?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009), provider of Maestro (http://maestropms.com/whyMaestro.aspx?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009)™ Enterprise Property Management hotel software (http://www.maestropms.com/products.aspx?onph=HOL?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009) and reservation software (http://maestropms.com/ModuleResEze.aspx?onph=HOL?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009) solutions for the hospitality industry, announced it expanded its Diamond Plus Service programs with added resources and tools to enable Maestro users to be more successful in 2009. Enhanced online services include live 1-on-1 On-Demand Training Sessions with PC screen-sharing, as well as "Maestro for Beginners" new-hire sessions and tutorials. Maestro also increased its online Webinar Training program and remote training services to minimize travel fees and staff downtime.

NORTHWIND adds services, helps clients use Maestro to fullest potential

"At a time when many vendors are focused on reducing expenses and maintaining status quo, NORTHWIND is adding services," said Warren Dehan, president of NORTHWIND-Maestro PMS. "We added client-facing staff and live online screen driven training to our industry-leading Diamond Plus Service to help clients be more profitable. Personalized online training enables operators to keep staff on property and become more productive."

Diamond Plus Service with Expert Maestro Customer Care & Unparalleled 24/7 Support offers users free:

•    Live Refresher and Advanced Interactive Training Webinars

•    Web-based Transition Assistance for Recently Trained Users

•    1-on-1 On-Demand Online Personalized Training Sessions with Maestro Specialists

•    Pre-recorded Webinars and Tutorials in online knowledgebase

•    Maestro for Beginners Education including on-demand tutorials and live sessions

•    Professional Productivity Consulting Services

•    Version Upgrades and Enhancements

Operators rely on Maestro online training to save time, educate new hires

"We rely on Maestro's online training, both the Webinars and the personal 1-on-1 classes, to be more productive and use systems more effectively," said Libby Stowe, sales support and information and data specialist for Campbell's Resort. "I have taken nearly all the Maestro online classes including Front Desk, Sales & Catering, Yield Management, Spa and POS. We always come away more knowledgeable and confident, and using the system to its fullest potential."

"Shorewalk Vacation Villas sells 190 condos as vacation units and we just completed several Maestro 1-on-1 training online classes for Group Management and Condo billing," said Dennis Karlzen, front desk manager of Shorewalk Vacation Villas in Florida. "We have a unique property and Maestro's training lets us ask questions and get valuable answers. It saves time and helps us use the system more efficiently."

"We use Maestro Webinars to train new hires and to take 'refreshers' to learn about our system," said David Hearst, revenue and reservations manager for the Waterfront Place Hotel. "I even take housekeeping classes with our executive housekeeper. We implemented Maestro in 2008 and the webinars helped our staff when we went live. I often set up a large screen and bring in staff for classes." Hearst noted that many module training sessions are pre-recorded on Maestro's site for more convenient learning. "The sessions for T/A and Charge Routing Rules help us do a better job managing our property. We are a 205-room independent so we rely on Maestro's support because we do not have a franchise to look to."

Live 1-on-1 on-demand training over the Web

NORTHWIND offers 1-on-1 live training sessions on-demand and recorded so clients can reference them any time. The live-chat and shared computer screen features enable staff to ask Maestro specialists specific questions about their property's unique operation. The live on-demand training sessions include:

•    Front Desk & Hotel Operations - A "How To" overview of Maestro PMS on front desk and hotel operations

•    Beginner's Series - Offers new Maestro users personal time with a Maestro Specialist

•    Sales & Catering - Gives users of this powerful Maestro module a solid systems foundation

•    Condo/Timeshare & Work Order - Offers Condo/Timeshare and Work Order clients the opportunity to review questions relating to these modules

•    Rate Management - Provides users dedicated time to master rate, package rate, yield management, dynamic packaging and package reconciliation functionality

•    Spa - Offers Maestro's integrated Spa Services users the opportunity to discuss configuration, setup, and best practices for spa operation.

Maestro continues to listen to its users and respond to their needs. In 2009, Maestro will launch even more services to Diamond Plus geared towards helping clients generate higher online and offline revenue, boost staff productivity, and mine their data to make informed business decisions to weather these trying times and emerge stronger than ever.

Maestro Property Management Solution

Enhance guest service, improve efficiency and maximize online and offline revenue with Maestro PMS, the industry's most robust and flexible solution empowering leading full-service hotels, luxury resorts, multi-property groups, conference centers, condominiums and timeshare properties. Solutions include Front Office (PMS), Accounts Receivable, Analytics and Business Intelligence, Sales and Catering, Multi-Property Management, Condo & Timeshare Owner Management with Web Functionality, Spa and Activities, Web Booking Engine, Real-Time Yield Management, Dynamic Packaging Golf CRM, Guest Experience Measurement, CRO, GDS Two-Way XML Connectivity or Integration, Membership, Work Orders, Fine Dining and Retail POS, Online Table Reservations with Web Booking, Concierge and Guest Experience Measurement. The Maestro PMS is database independent (ODBC Compliant) and may be deployed via Windows, UNIX, Linux, Terminal Services, hosted and Web platforms.

About NORTHWIND - Maestro PMS

NORTHWIND (http://www.maestropms.com/?onph=HOL?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009) is recognized in the hospitality industry for its "standard setting" Diamond Plus Service and robust integrated Maestro technology. With over 30 years of experience dedicated to developing technology solutions for the hospitality industry, NORTHWIND is a partner who understands that you need a scalable and flexible PMS that works the way you do. Maestro applications are engineered for operators who need to manage their enterprise in a real-time environment for the utmost operational efficiency, productivity, control and profitability.

Contact:

NORTHWIND - Maestro PMS, North America

Ivana Johnston - Sales & Marketing

Phone: 905.940.1923

Toll Free: 1-888-667-8488

8300 Woodbine Avenue, 5th floor

Markham, ON L3R 9Y7

Email: info(at)maestropms.com

www.maestropms.com/HOL?Campaign=PRWebEnhancedServiceJan202009

Media Contact:

Julie Keyser-Squires, APR

Softscribe Inc.

180 River Springs Drive NW

Atlanta, GA 30328

Phone: (404)256-5512

Email: Julie(at)softscribeinc.com

http://www.softscribeinc.com

###