Optims S.A. Acquires Hotel Data Systems, A Global Provider Of Crs Solutions And Distribution Services

Optims currently provides hospitality technology, services and solutions for nearly 6,000 hotel chains or groups as well as for independent properties worldwide. This acquisition will enable Optims to grow its U.S. hotel customer base and enhance its technology offerings to hotel chains and independents in the North American market. The company is focused on further consolidating its status as a dominant provider of enterprise solutions to the global hospitality and tourism markets. During the past three years, Optims has been fast developing a global presence with the opening of subsidiaries or offices in Europe, including Italy, Spain, Great-Britain and also in Asia, with the opening of an office in Singapore. The company recently expanded its presence in Germany with the acquisition of Hogatex. A strong presence in the US was a strategic and logical step.

"Our immediate priority going forward is to make sure that we positively impact HDS's existing users in terms of customer service and support, and to involve them with our

worldwide user base," said Antoine Medawar, President & CEO of Optims. "We will simultaneously be seeking to increase market share in the US, through acquisitive growth in core markets that offer synergy, and concurrently through direct sales and customer service by expanding the operations and scope of the US office. As a multinational, we are well positioned; from the depth of our product offering, our worldwide distribution and from a strong financial position. This acquisition complements our large portfolio of products, including Property Management & Revenue Management Systems and emphasizes the tremendous marketing and development synergy with our existing Otedis CRS platform for electronic distribution worldwide. We now have a worldwide range of fully integrated solutions for PMS, RMS, CRS, POS and Distribution in all market segments, worldwide."

Paul Firos, President of HDS, stated, "We are excited about becoming an integral part of the Optims organization. We look forward to continuing to grow our business by combining our entrepreneurial reputation with the vast resources , the global marketing capabilities and the strong Optims' technology skills. We see excellent synergistic growth prospects and believe that our customers and prospective clients will benefit tremendously through this new affiliation."

HDS, headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, is a software firm dedicated to the development of enterprise level reservation solutions customized for hotel central reservation call centers worldwide. The company's xenon®CRS software is installed with customers such as Prime Hospitality, SuperClubs and Westmark Hotels. The company recently introduced the Magellan ERS, a multi -inventory reservation service, to provide GDS and ODD representation to hotel, car rentals and Tour Operators. The product has been off to a fast start with over 500 hotels signed in three months, in over 10 countries. For additional information visit www.hoteldata.com.

Optims develops and implements Information Technology solutions dedicated to optimizing management methods and revenues. Optims has been serving the Hospitality, Tourism, Catering, Transport and Travel Industries through three complementary technologies. These include Property Management Systems (PMS), Yield Management Solutions known as Revenue Management Systems (RMS) and Central Reservation Systems (CRS). Amadeus, one of the worlds leading global distribution system (GDS), holds a 30% shareholding in Optims.

Among Optims' prestigious clients are Accor, Le Méridien, Envergure, Thistle, Boscolo, Nouvelles Frontières, Châteaux & Hotels de France, Radisson SAS, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Savoy Group, Four Seasons, Arabelle Country Estate, Beachcomber, FRAM, Meritus Hotels & Resorts and Royal Parc Evian. Optims issued its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the Paris Stock Exchange's Nouveau Marché in June 2000 (ISIN: FR0004165975; mnemo: OPT; SICOVAM code: 007652)

For additional information about this press release, or for more information on leading edge, enterprise level solutions for the hospitality and travel industry from Optims, please contact Dominique Sacrez - Director of Communications at +33 (0)1 69 47 62 19 or via email at [email protected]. You can also visit the Optims website at www.optims.com