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Worktopia Launches Corporate Edition of Universal Meeting Solution(TM)

Posted on: Monday, 9 March 2009, 07:00 CDT

New Features Strengthen Control and Policy Compliance for Simple, Off-Site Meetings

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Worktopia(R), the leading provider of real-time procurement solutions for Simple Meetings(TM), today announced the launch of its Universal Meeting Solution(TM) - Corporate Edition (UMS-CE). The new Corporate Edition provides executives with much needed control over what their companies are spending on small, off-site meetings with new features including pre-negotiated rates and configurable terms for prepayment policy, refunds and re-use of cancellation credits.

Worktopia's Universal Meeting Solution (UMS), first brought to market in 2008, automates the process for meeting planners, allowing them to search, compare costs and book meeting space, as well as room blocks for up to 50 attendees, in one real-time session. UMS-CE takes the off-site meeting booking process to the next level by allowing companies to require preferred vendors to load negotiated rates and configure certain policies in a standard small meeting and event contract in order to maintain preferred status. Administrative assistants or other meeting planners can agree to the contracts online and pay a deposit, if required. UMS-CE also provides detailed meeting spend reports, enabling executives to measure, track and even set thresholds to match the cost of their company's simple off-site meetings with the business objectives, for improved accountability and meeting ROI.

Worktopia markets UMS and UMS-CE directly to enterprises and in private label versions via major corporate booking tools and travel management company resellers.

"UMS-CE enables unprecedented control and policy compliance over off-site meetings involving fewer than 100 attendees," said John Arenas, chairman and CEO of Worktopia. Arenas added, "Without UMS, administrative assistants continue to book meetings and sign complex contracts without guidance or controls. The exposure to liability and costs from 'under-managing' this area of expenditure is huge."

UMS and UMS-CE provide a range of tools with measurable benefits. These include attendee management capabilities, administrative tools and detailed meeting activity reports. UMS-CE provides the additional benefits of integrating preferred vendors and rates, along with Worktopia's rates, into the booking engine and detailed meeting spend reports--enhancing executives' ability to better manage and control their company's off-site meetings immediately.

About Worktopia(R) -- Worktopia, Inc. offers integrated solutions that allow meeting planners to search, compare and book simple meetings and group accommodations online in hotels, business centers and airport lounges worldwide. Worktopia's solutions also serve the needs of corporate executives, by providing new visibility into what their companies are spending on Simple Meetings, facilitating control, compliance and cost reduction efforts. The Worktopia meetings booking engine can be found in private label versions, in TMC corporate booking tools and on GDS agency desktops. Worktopia's private label agreements and connectivity partners include leading companies in the hospitality and travel industry including, Sabre(R), Travelport(R), GetThere(R), Newmarket(R) International, Pegasus(R) and MICROS Systems. Worktopia delivers attendee management services in partnership with SignUp4, LLC. For more information, visit www.worktopia.com.

SOURCE Worktopia, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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