NORTHWINDs Yield Management With 'The Real-time Advantage Fully Integrates Into The Maestro PMS

For Immediate Release -- June 5, 2000

MARKHAM, ON (NORTHWIND) -- June 5, 2000 - The challenge for Maestro has been to combine Yield Management capabilities directly into the property management system. Unlike third-party interfaced solutions, this full integration creates a real-time processing environment that allows the property to implement its yield strategies with as much or as little intervention as it desires. Essentially, the user can configure any combination of strategies for the upcoming period and then walk away" letting the system manage itself. The effects are immediate. Maestro will automatically adjust rate values, enforce duration controls and even open and close market segments as it responds to the pre-configured criteria. Owners and managers simply sit back and watch the revenues climb.

The yield management process has traditionally been managed with the assistance of yield management software that operated independently from the property management system. The PMS would send information to the yield management system via a modem and often required an overnight batch process. The user would then interpret the information provided by the yield system and then implement yield management strategies based on those findings.

NORTHWIND and Maestro have revolutionized all of this, making this tedious and time consuming process a thing of the past. Within the Maestro framework, yield strategies can be configured to respond to a wide variety of variables, including -- Building, Room Type, Rate Type, Occupancy Percentage, Length Of Stay, Booking Date and Arrival Date. These diverse criteria ensure that even novice Yield Managers can quickly and easily implement a strategy that is best suited to their needs. Alternatively, advanced Yield Managers, requiring a more hands on approach, are fully supported by Maestros wide complement of performance and forecasting reports.

Maestro offers a wide range of integrated real time Yield Management features. In many cases, each feature can be activated and configured to operate independently or can be fully integrated with other features. This set up capability allows the user to customize the propertys own unique yield management program by implementing only those features that provide direct benefits. Additionally, the user may choose from several approaches to manage the propertys yield management program -- An Automated Approach, a Manual Approach and a Combination Approach. In this manner, the manager can exercise as little or as much hands on control as desired.

Several properties across North America are now implementing this exciting new feature. Anthony Foux, owner of the five-property Monterey Peninsula Inns of California, is already enjoying the benefits. We are very price conscious and tend to micro-manage our room rates. We had been working two to three weeks out with our previous system and now with Maestro, we are working effectively beyond six months. It will look into the future and based on the actual market conditions, automatically adjust the price of our rooms for each period. If demand is heavy, the rates are increased before any rooms can be sold at lower rates. If sales are slow, the rates are reduced to stimulate demand. Our reservation staff is always able to quote rates that are appropriate for the period."

Northwind will be exhibiting at HITEC 2000 in Dallas, Texas at the Dallas Convention Centre on June 20th to the 22nd, Booth #235 and in the Microsoft pavilion. You will be able to see and learn more about the Maestro Yield Management -- Real-Time Advantage" features at the convention and get a one-on-one presentation or in-depth briefing of this unmatched advanced software performance.

About Northwind

Northwind has emerged as a formidable global provider of software and eCommerce solutions to satisfy the requirements of virtually any size hotel, resort, meeting/conference center or corporate headquarters. Northwind's Maestro, eMaestro and Maestro Enterprise, complete web-enabled suites of PMS, Sales & Catering and Corporate solutions, are recognized as the multi-platform (Windows/NT/Unix/Linux) solutions of choice for progressive and demanding organizations. Northwind's ability to provide clients with the technology solutions that fit their operational and management needs has helped it to build a prestigious list of international clients supported by the company's expanding organization of dealers and distributors in the United States, the Caribbean, South Africa and Europe. A total solution provider with exceptional industry expertise, Northwind offers leading-edge technologies, superior training, and unparalleled support.

(c)Copyright 2000 Northwind, Inc. All rights reserved. Maestro is a registered trademark of Northwind, Inc. Additional company and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Northwind Audrey Dehan, Director of Marketing 905-940-1923 x-246