IDeaS Revenue Optimization, the leading provider of hospitality revenue management and optimization solutions and services, today announced that The Umstead Hotel & Spa, recipient of a 2008 AAA "Five Diamond Award", selected its IDeaS V5i pricing and revenue management solution to optimize revenue and profit. IDeaS V5i will provide forecasting, optimization and pricing solutions as an on-demand Software as a Service (SaaS) application.

Omni Hotels announced that the company has successfully deployed its new brand-wide reservation system, powered by the OPERA Enterprise Solution from MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRS) , a leading worldwide provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries.

Benchmark Hospitality International, which operates 30 independent full service properties for multiple ownership groups nationwide, selected the ExecuvueÒ Business Intelligence system from Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. to automate data gathering and performance management processes to drive better business decisions for its properties and corporate offices. Benchmark will begin its Execuvue roll out in 1Q ’09. Aptech is the leading provider of business intelligence and back office systems for the hospitality industry.

MICROS Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRS), a leading provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, is pleased to announce that The Peninsula Hotels is upgrading all of its hotels to OPERA v5.0 and deploying the OPERA Revenue Management System (RMS) after successful pilots at The Peninsula Hong Kong and Peninsula New York properties. The deployment of the world's first truly integrated revenue management system to the remaining hotels will be complete by mid 2009.

SoftBrands, Inc. (NYSE Alternext: SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, today announced that Corus Hotels Ltd. has selected the Epitome property management system (PMS) and Core central reservation system (CRS) from SoftBrands for five of its hotels across England. The mix of enterprise solutions also will include channel distribution and revenue optimization solutions. Corus Hotels will be using SoftBrands enterprise solutions at the Corus Hotel Hyde Park in London; Burnham Beeches Hotel in Buckinghamshire; Belsfield Hotel in Windermere; Corus Hotel Elstree in Hertfordshire; and Corus Hotel, Shirley, Solihull. Corus Hotels will operate SoftBrands’ Core CRS centrally, while Epitome PMS will run within the individual hotels. Channel distribution capabilities will be provided through interfaces with SynXis, a SoftBrands technology partner, to ensure synchronised rate and inventory availability. Installation of the systems will begin at the Corus Burnham Beeches Hotel in December.

Accurate operating data is the foundation for effective management; without it, decisions can only be based on gut instinct and experience – but no one has experience with the market we are moving into. During the last downturn hotel companies that used Business Intelligence (BI) systems to analyze operating data were first to spot unnecessary expenses for utilities, and inappropriate staffing levels. These savvy operators trimmed expenses fast and stayed in business because they were prepared when occupancy and revenue dropped. They managed by the numbers and relied on BI reporting to compare their properties to spot the top performing hotels in each market. When they identified which properties were most successful, operators used BI to drill into their metrics to see the ‘why’ behind the numbers and implement best practices based on their most profitable propertys’ management strategies.

SOUTHLAKE, Texas | SynXis, the Sabre Holdings business that provides complete hotel distribution and Internet marketing services globally, announced today that Menzies Hotels, an independently-owned chain of properties across the United Kingdom, has switched to SynXis as its new distribution partner. The sixteen distinctive, four-star Menzies properties, consisting not only of attractive city center properties but also luxury country house properties and coastal getaways, is using the RedX® Distribution Management System as its single source of distribution to all distribution channels including all four Global Distribution Systems (GDS), the leading online travel sites and its own chain website (www.menzieshotels.co.uk). Menzies cited several factors for selecting SynXis including: flexible, easy-to-use technology and revenue management tools, seamless integration to its other third-party property systems and experience merchandising a diverse collection of properties.

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, including specifically-designed hospitality software solutions, has announced that The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Va. has selected the Visual One solution suite by Agilysys to streamline operations and enhance guest service at its five Colonial Williamsburg properties — Williamsburg Inn, Colonial Houses, Williamsburg Lodge, Woodlands Hotels & Suites and Governor’s Inn. The properties are using the Visual One property management system and Visual One solutions for point-of-sale, golf management and spa management.

Elsafe, the world leader in providing in-room electronic safes to hotels, goes beyond the ordinary with the unveiling of its new Sentinel II in-room safe series this month. The modern ergonomic design of Sentinel II, developed by world renowned design and human factor experts (Bresslergroup), is combined with the industry’s leading, high-quality safe platform, resulting in a new product that truly stands apart and that will complement the design of any guestroom.

Portsmouth, NH| Newmarket International, Inc., the leader in sales and catering solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that MarketTools, Inc., the leading technology and solutions provider of Customer Insight Management solutions for the world's market leaders, has awarded the company with its 2008 CustomerSat Achievement in Customer Excellence (ACE)™ Award. This marks the third consecutive year that Newmarket® was recognized with this honor in the areas of support and project management. The award acknowledges Newmarket's commitment to provide the best service and support for its customers.