FAGER’S ISLAND, LANDMARK DESTINATION IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND, SELECTS MICROS AS ITS TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

Press release:

FAGER’S ISLAND, LANDMARK DESTINATION IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND, SELECTS MICROS AS ITS TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

Nightlife hotspot forms partnership with leading hospitality technology company and implements highly advanced point-of-service solution to increase revenues and operational efficiencies.

Columbia, MD – May 1, 2012—MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRS), a leading provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, is pleased to announce that Fager’s Island, a widely treasured destination in Ocean City, Maryland, has implemented an extensive MICROS solution to cut costs and add additional revenues.  Fager’s Island recently went live with a complete solution that includes the MICROS Restaurant Enterprise Solution (RES),  27 MICROS Workstation 5A (WS5A) hardware terminals, 5 tablet devices for mobile orders, 16 MICROS Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), 1 tablet with a wireless scanner for the gift shop, the mymicros.net business intelligence platform with mylabor for labor management,  MICROS’s Table Management software to control consumer dining experiences, MICROS Tabbedout for mobile payments, and a complete PMS interface to allow for smooth room service and billing for its 2 onsite hotels.

After evaluating many different solutions, Fager’s Island selected the MICROS set of solutions to increase its overall bottom line.   With the state-of-the-art and reliable WS5A terminals, its total cost of ownership for hardware will decrease considerably.  By utilizing tablet devices throughout multiple remote bar areas, the wait staff is able to take orders more accurately and efficiently, reduce waste and increase its speed of service.  The MICROS KDS was selected to improve communications between the site’s 4 kitchens, including a remote raw bar, allowing for lower labor costs, better customer service, and vastly improved timing between kitchens.  MICROS’s business intelligence solutions through the mymicros.net platform allows for better decision making, cost controls, and reduced shrinkage.  With the addition of MICROS Tabbedout which allows customers to make payments automatically from their mobile device, table turns are increased, wait times are reduced, and sales increased from patrons that purchase additional rounds at the multiple bar outlets.

“MICROS’s proven service model, hardware durability, business intelligence portal products, and path for future additions of MICROS eCommerce solutions are all reasons why we selected the company for our technology needs,” declared John Fager, Owner of Fager’s Island.  “We are especially pleased to finally have a complete solution that remains stable in our extremely busy environment.  We built a strong partnership with the local MICROS team and we worked together to develop the many programs that are instituted and implemented to best benefit our operations here at Fager’s Island.”

“We are thrilled to have formed this strategic partnership with Fager’s Island after proving the increased return on investment that is realized from MICROS’s solutions,” stated Ed Chapel, Senior Vice President, MICROS North American Distribution.  “With our new direct distribution and local support on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, we look forward to expanding our footprint and service and solutions offerings.”

About Fager’s Island
Fager's Island is an Ocean City, Maryland landmark located in the bay on 60th Street.  Endulge in award-winning bayfront dining featuring fresh seafood and famous Prime Rib at the Fagers's Island Restaurant and Bar.  Watch the most beautiful sunset in town from your hotel room or one of the casual waterfront decks.  Spend your evenening enjoying the night life at Fager’s Island with live bands, deck parties, and special events.  Enjoy the high comfort factor and a unique atmosphere of privacy and solicitude at The Lighthouse Club Hotel which offers twenty-three one-bedroom suites, set admidst the gentle rushes of the natural wetlands with the Isle of Wight Bay lapping at your doorstep.  A stay at The Edge at the Light House, the newest hotel edition at Fager’s Island,  is one that will renew the spirit and refresh the soul with twelve distinctively designed and furnished suites reflecting cosmopolitan sophistication with the simplicity of the beach, each providing uncommon comfort and elegance.  For more information, please visit www.fagers.com.

About MICROS Systems, Inc. 
MICROS Systems, Inc. provides enterprise applications for the hospitality and retail industries worldwide. Over 330,000 MICROS systems are currently installed in table and quick service restaurants, hotels, motels, casinos, leisure and entertainment, and retail operations in more than 180 countries, and on all seven continents. In addition, MICROS provides property management systems, central reservation and customer information solutions under the brand MICROS-Fidelio for more than 26,000 hotels worldwide, as well as point-of-sale, loss prevention, and cross-channel functionality through its MICROS-Retail division for more than 100,000 retail stores worldwide. MICROS stock is traded through NASDAQ under the symbol MCRS.

For more information on MICROS and its advanced information technology solutions for the hospitality industry, please contact Louise Casamento, Vice President of Marketing at (443) 285-8144 or (866) 287-4736. You can also visit the MICROS website atwww.micros.com or send an email to info@micros.com . Follow MICROS on Facebook ,LinkedIn , YouTube , and the MICROS Blog .

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GE Capital to Publish Annual Review of Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry

Press release:

30 April 2012

GE Capital to Publish Annual Review of Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry

 

Results, including promising 2012 outlook, to be released at Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit May 30 in Toronto

TORONTO (ON) – As the economy moves from recovery to expansion, Canadians are expected to cautiously increase their spending at restaurants and the Canadian foodservice industry should grow modestly this year, according to the first annual Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review, an extensive research report commissioned by GE Capital and compiled by fsSTRATEGY and NPD Group Canada.

Some of the research findings:
• Canadian foodservice industry sales are expected to increase by 3.1% to CAD$65.4 billion in 2012.
• Visits to Canada’s commercial foodservice industry remained relatively flat last year, growing just 1% over the prior year.
• Alberta was the fastest-growing market at 7.8%.
• British Columbia was the only province that experienced foodservice revenue declines.

The complete Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review will be provided to attendees of GE Capital’s third annual Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, which will be held May 30-31 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel. To review a detailed listing of program sessions or to register, please go towww.restaurantinvest.ca.

“For the first time, we’re compiling a comprehensive analysis and factual overview of the state of chain foodservice in Canada,” said Ed Khediguian, GE Capital’s senior vice president of Franchise Finance. “These findings have implications for job growth, construction activity and other factors that will impact the economic health of Canada this year and for several years to come. They also shed light on consumer spending habits and trends from province to province.”

The report includes insights from the C-suite executives of leading Canadian chains on important issues such as:
• The greatest opportunities and threats in the foodservice industry,
• Restaurant industry merger and acquisition opportunities,
• Expected changes in sales as well as labour and food costs, among other operating and occupancy costs, and
• The outlook on restaurant industry capital expenditures.

“We expect the Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review to be one of the many highlights of our strong program this year,” Khediguian said. “In addition to presentations on important topics like growth and expansion strategies, and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the largest-ever restaurant acquisitions, industry experts will share their expertise and insights on a number of other issues with all attendees.”

About GE Capital, CanadaWith more than 20 offices throughout Canada, GE Capital (gecapital.ca) offers a wide variety of financial products and services to address commercial financing and fleet management needs in all phases of a business’ lifecycle. From equipment finance to working capital and growth financing to large asset-based and restructuring loans, we apply our wealth of industry expertise and develop custom solutions for your company. Some of the industry sectors we specialize in include transportation, construction, healthcare, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, oil and gas, wholesale and retail, and restaurant and hotel franchises.

GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at ge.com.

Accenture Announces Advisory Board for U.S. Federal Business

February 07, 2012

Accenture Announces Advisory Board for U.S. Federal Business

Key Leaders Bring Decades of Government Experience and Industry Knowledge

 Valued by Clients

RESTON, Va.; Feb. 7, 2012 – Nationally recognized experts, and leaders with experience across the U.S. federal government, will join the newly formed Accenture U.S. Federal Advisory Board.

The advisory board will provide Accenture Federal Services  with fresh perspectives on the federal market, industry trends and business strategies.  The group will serve in an internal advisory capacity and will meet quarterly.

“The U.S. federal market is the cornerstone of our global public service business,” saidStephen J. Rohleder, group chief executive of Accenture’s Health & Public Service Operating Group.  “We are honored to draw on the decades of experience from these esteemed leaders to gain even more valuable insights that will help us create offerings and build additional capabilities to better serve the needs of our U.S. federal clients.”  

The advisory board members include:

• James Cartwright, USMC General, ret., former vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and lead for U.S. Strategic Command.
• Michael Chertoff, former U.S. Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security; currently chairman of The Chertoff Group.  
• Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senator; senior policy advisor at DLA Piper’s Government Affairs practice.
• William J. Lynn, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, the second-highest ranking official at the Department of Defense.
• Mary Peters, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and president of Mary Peters Consulting.

“We are constantly expanding our expertise to meet the changing needs of our clients,” saidKay Kapoor, who leads Accenture’s federal business.  “The advisory board members bring the right mix of federal experience to help Accenture continue to shape innovative solutions that are needed at a time when our government is facing unprecedented challenges.”

Accenture’s federal business serves every cabinet-level department and 20 of the largest federal organizations.  The U.S. federal portfolio spans across clients in civilian, defense, intelligence and public safety agencies.

The nation’s leading independent voice on corporate citizens, Corporate Responsibilitymagazine, ranked Accenture second on its list of the “Best Corporate Citizens in Government Contracting." The publication recognized the company’s role in embracing social responsibility and transparency when working with government agencies.

Learn more about Accenture’s work with federal agencies and delivering Public Service of the Future.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 244,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries.  Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.  The company generated net revenues of US$25.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2011.  Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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