Galaxy Hotel Systems

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. /TUSTIN, CALIF. — Newmarket International Inc. — the makers of DelphiTM and other leading group, sales, catering and banquet solutions — has formed an integration alliance with Galaxy Hotel Systems LLC, aimed at developing a feature-rich eXtensible Markup Language (XML) interface to improve automation, communication and connectivity between the two companies' business software solutions.

The integration alliance builds on years of solid partnering between Portsmouth-based Newmarket International and Tustin-based Galaxy Hotel Systems, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT.

"Our two companies have a lengthy history of working together for mutual benefit, largely because we share like customers with similar needs for a seamless, two-way real-time interface between our leading Property Management System and Sales & Catering solutions," said Dan Hogan, Galaxy Hotel Systems VP & General Manager. "Newmarket International has long been No. 1 worldwide in Sales & Catering solutions, so they're obviously an attractive integration partner."

"We have had an interface in place between our two systems for several years and this alliance will bring to market a web-enabled XML interface with unmatched functionality, flexibility and accessibility," said Sean O'Neill, Newmarket International President & CEO. "We're currently in the focus group stage of this integration development, and have both committed time, money and human resources to take this from concept to completion methodically and quickly."

Hogan said O'Neill and Danny Hudson, Newmarket International VP Sales & Marketing, have strong ties to Galaxy and Starwood, which helped pave the way for past partnering as well as this leading-edge XML interface alliance.

In the end, Hogan said what all of these relationships mean to the end customer is that the two companies have a solid foundation for a uniquely fruitful integration alliance.

"We are very familiar with each other's solutions, strengths, and similar philosophies and corporate culture," Hogan said. "When two market leaders such as our companies work from the same page and pool resources to get their solutions and clients on the same page, the entire hospitality industry wins."

Newmarket's Hudson said the alliance partners already share hundreds of hotel customers and that the XML interface will further expand sales and service delivery opportunities for both parties.

"We are committed to co-developing a world-class XML interface that truly takes systems integration to the next level," Hudson said. "We have the technology, people and relationships in place to deliver an XML interface that minimizes operators' integration headaches and costs, while bolstering productivity and profitability."

This alliance marks one of many strategic partnerships being forged or strengthened by Newmarket International.

"The hospitality industry can expect another wave of strategic alliances as more systems' buyers weigh the pros and cons of single provider solutions versus best-of-breed solutions," O'Neill said. "Integration partnerships between leading systems providers are growing in number and scope. With today's technology standards, once dissimilar applications can act in concert as a single, best-of-breed enterprise solution."

About Newmarket International

Newmarket International, "the makers of Delphi," is the leader in delivering groups, sales, catering and banquet software solutions to global travel and entertainment organizations. Hotels, Casinos, Visitor Bureaus, Meeting Houses, Convention Centers and Arenas all use this powerful technology. Newmarket International provides competitive advantages to all of its customers by enabling leads to electronically transfer across cities and around the world. By harnessing award-winning technology and support, the industry's best return on investment, domain expertise, and a commitment to the travel industry, Portsmouth, N.H.-based Newmarket enables customers to increase efficiencies and maximize profits. For more information, please visit www.newmarketinc.com.

About Galaxy Hotel Systems

Tustin, Calif.-based Galaxy Hotel Systems LLC has been providing exceptional hotel software solutions and services to the global hospitality industry for 32 years. Galaxy's innovative products streamline business processes and enable associates to focus on the highest priority, the guest. Built upon the firm foundation of stability, reliability and flexibility, all of Galaxy Hotel Systems LLC products are uniquely designed to meet the diverse needs of all market segments within the hospitality industry — independents, chains and franchises. Galaxy Hotel Systems LLC is a wholly owned business of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. For additional information please contact Galaxy Hotel Systems at 1-800-624-2953 or visit our website at www.galaxyhotelsystems.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.

Dan Hogan
714-247-4702