SoftBrands Utilizes Microsoft Technology Center to Enhance Property Management System Scalability

SoftBrands, Inc. (Amex: SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, today announced that it is using insights gained through interaction with the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in Irvine, Calif., to enhance the scalability and performance of the SoftBrands Epitome property management system (PMS). SoftBrands began working with the MTC in September 2007 to test its Epitome application. Epitome is built upon the Microsoft .NET Framework and uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

"We are moving to more closely align our product development with Microsoft's product strategy -- specifically in the areas of .NET, SQL Server and Windows Server -- to utilize Microsoft's technology advancements, ease of development and development management capabilities. Our interaction with the MTC was the first step in a broader, ongoing relationship with Microsoft," said Saeed Karim, chief technology officer, SoftBrands Hospitality.

SoftBrands was able to use MTC resources to test the scalability of its Epitome PMS by simulating multiple hotels with numerous simultaneous users interacting with the application. These simulations in the MTC lab environment provided opportunities to establish baseline parameters for scalability and performance metrics. Now SoftBrands is working with Microsoft to obtain ongoing architecture guidance, as well as support and access to Microsoft's facilities to benchmark, make improvements and fine-tune the Epitome application.

"Large hotels and properties face hectic, data-intensive environments that can stretch the limits of their technology infrastructures," said Bill Gonzalez, general manager, Worldwide Retail and Hospitality Group, Microsoft Corp. "We're pleased to work with SoftBrands to assist in benchmarking work at the MTC to ensure that its Epitome application scales and performs its best in concert with the Microsoft software platform. SoftBrands is a critical part of our ISV network that serves the hospitality industry today."

"We received excellent guidance from the MTC that is helping us more efficiently and effectively address areas that can benefit from technical and platform changes. Our interactions with the MTC validated our strategy to engage with Microsoft more broadly and deeply so that we can apply the technology more meaningfully. The MTC was the launching point for an ongoing mentoring relationship that's important to our technology alignment with Microsoft," said Karim. Benefits of this relationship include gaining a better understanding of what Microsoft's newest versions of its software platform can do for SoftBrands products, as well as the ability to test the benefits of a variety of advanced techniques, such as various methods to cluster servers to optimize the performance of the application.

"SoftBrands is pleased to be a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner in the hospitality industry," said Steve VanTassel, senior vice president and general manager of SoftBrands' hospitality operations. "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft to more effectively leverage the vast capabilities of the .NET Framework in our products. We are confident that working with Microsoft will provide our customers with faster and more reliable products."

"SoftBrands' move toward more intensive use of Microsoft technology coincides with Microsoft's increased focus on the hospitality industry," said David Gandrud, director of global marketing, SoftBrands Hospitality. "We see the value and importance of utilizing Microsoft technology in our software. By evaluating our product design and then helping us to run our software through a battery of tests in the MTC, Microsoft is providing us access to resources that a company of our size typically would not be able to utilize. The ability to tap into Microsoft's knowledge and resources is a significant advantage for SoftBrands."

SoftBrands is a Microsoft global industry ISV partner with an established commitment to adopting Microsoft technologies.

About SoftBrands Hospitality

SoftBrands Hospitality provides central reservation, property management and business intelligence software that can be centrally managed to support many properties within a hotel chain, as well as less complex offerings that can be installed on site at an independent hotel. SoftBrands distribution service, Karyon, allows hotels to easily manage rates and inventory availability across all four Global Distribution Systems and many other online sources of demand. SoftBrands is committed to the hospitality industry, and is an active member of OpenTravel Alliance, HTNG, HSMAI, HFTP, HEDNA, AH&LA, AAHOA, NBTA & PHMA.

About SoftBrands

SoftBrands, Inc. is a leader in providing software solutions for businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries worldwide. The company has established a global infrastructure for distribution, development and support of enterprise software, and has approximately 5,000 customers in more than 100 countries actively using its manufacturing and hospitality products. SoftBrands, which has approximately 800 employees, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., with branch offices in Europe, India, Asia, Australia and Africa. Additional information can be found at http://www.softbrands.com.

Contact Information:

David Gandrud

Director of Global Marketing

612 851 1518