Paramount will install Delphi MPE at its corporate headquarters in Leeds, enabling its sales, conference and events management teams to direct-book across an inventory of over 1,800 guestrooms in the United Kingdom.

Installation and training is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2001. Over 100 total users within Paramount will benefit with the Delphi MPE system.

There were several critical factors involved in Paramount's decision to install Delphi MPE. Over the past year, the team at Paramount performed a deep evaluation of various sales automation systems. In the end, it was Newmarket's verified ability to install a proven, fully functional centralised product. Furthermore, Newmarket's e-Business products, including web-based Virtual Classroom training, were seen as crucial enhancements that will augment the system's deployment and ease of use.

"When evaluating the various companies and products on the market, we chose Newmarket for the fact that they were six years ahead of any other company in the development of Windows and Internet-based products, " said David Kelly, Group IT Manager for Paramount. "Paramount Group of Hotels is a growing company, and we did not want to take a risk on an alternative product that was 'still in development' or had little international experience. While other companies were making promises for the future, Newmarket provided us with facts on their other installations," continued Kelly. "Paramount's decision was based around the proof that Newmarket's current customers provided."

Delphi MPE will enable all sales, conference, and events people in the Paramount enterprise with single-image inventory and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to manage every aspect of their sales effort: from group and transient business to the meetings and conventions business. Full Internet access to Delphi MPE for remote, mobile, and distributed users will empower the Paramount team to sell into any property in the group with real-time information pulled from a single database.

"Paramount Group of Hotels represents one of the UK's premier, fast-tracked hotel companies," said Dan Hiza, Newmarket's Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). "Their future growth plans will see them as a major player in the UK hospitality market. With a range of hotels around the country already, including the Carlton Hotel in Edinburgh, the Majestic in Yorkshire, Shrigley Hall in Cheshire and the Imperial in Devon to name just a few, Paramount's ability of capturing a majority of the group meetings and conventions business in the UK will be fully enabled through Delphi MPE."

Mr. Chris Netherwood, sales director of Newmarket's EMEA office, is looking forward to the integration between Delphi MPE and the Aremis PMS. "The two-way exchange of data will provide Paramount Group of Hotels with UK-wide availability, account and sales person performance and historical customer information that few hotel groups have today. This will greatly enhance the way Paramount conducts business with their customers."

Paramount Group of Hotels is one of the fastest growing UK hotel companies: comprising 16 four & five star properties stretching from Torquay on the South Coast, to Stirling at the foot of the Scottish Highlands. At Paramount things are done a little differently; hotels come alive through creative and tasteful interior design coupled with a happy team of staff that make everyone feel at home. The charm of Paramount is in the pleasant mix of different yet enchanting hotels that share the same kinds of qualities and facilities -from health and leisure clubs and fine dining restaurants, to conference facilities playing host to party political conferences. The group will continue to invest heavily in the portfolio. Over £25 million this year alone will ensure all hotels retain their charm and character, four & five star standards, and also blend with today's contemporary tastes. For reservations or information on Paramount, call your preferred travel professional or Paramount on +44 (0)500 342 543. Internet users can access information on Paramount via the World Wide Web at www.paramount-hotels.co.uk. Paramount's e-mail address is stay@paramount-hotels.co.uk.

Newmarket International (www.newsoft.com) provides e-Business solutions that automate sales and operations for every type of hospitality venue, from independent hotels of any size to resorts, casinos, convention centers, convention & visitors bureaus, and the complete corporate enterprise. Newmarket is widely recognized as the premier innovator of scalable sales and catering systems, web-enabled applications, and e-Business strategies, including www.meetingbroker.com. A total solutions provider, Newmarket offers leading-edge technologies, onsite and Web-based training, consulting, project management and superior support based on unparalleled industry expertise. Newmarket's UK headquarters is located in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey and can be reached on +44 (0)20.8481.6600. Otherwise, visit Newmarket on www.newsoft.com and www.meetingbroker.com.