Lake Forest, CA (July 16, 2003)┘ Hotel Information System (HIS) announces its intent to develop a two-way interface to Best Western International▓s worldwide Central Reservation System and HIS▓ epitome PMS for Windows. Best Western members using epitome PMS will benefit from the fully automated reservation flow between this increasingly popular Property Management System (PMS) and the proprietary reservation system of Best Western, the ⌠World▓s Largest Hotel Chain.■ Best Western▓s members will be able to streamline their operations by no longer having to use the Best Western proprietary web interface to their CRS. All reservations will be automatically delivered to HIS▓ property management system as well as any updates to the hotel▓s rates, inventory, BestCheque- Travel Agent Commission program and Gold Crown Club points will be reflected instantly into the CRS. Members of Best Western will also be able to migrate their current PMS which does not have this connectivity, to the epitome PMS for Windows at a substantially reduced pricing structure.

The interface is based on the new standard in communication protocol among software systems serving every facet of travel and tourism. Known as the ⌠OTA 2002b Specification,⌠ this interfacing standard was developed by the Open Travel Alliance (OTA) and is designed to allow for more open connectivity among software systems throughout the hospitality and travel industry. Taking advantage of XML-based messaging, software systems are now able to communicate in a standard format thus negating errors and ensuring prompt delivery of reservations.

Mike Kistner is CIO of Best Western and serves as the President of OTA. ⌠We are pleased that Hotel Information Systems has stepped up to plate in ensuring the reservation flow between our system and theirs is fully 2-way in functionality. We pride ourselves in partnering with companies that create and implement solutions that enhance the operations of our Best Western Members.■

Says Seth Christian, CMO and VP of Sales for HIS, ⌠We are extremely glad to be a part of the new standard (OTA) for connectivity within the hospitality industry and using this standard (OTA) to connect our PMS system to Best Western CRS. We feel that Best Western Members will benefit greatly from full 2-way reservation delivery with their CRS.■

About Best Western
Best Western International is THE WORLD▓S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN with more than 4,000 hotels in 80 countries and territories. Best Western is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members.

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