Business Specialties Technology
Northwind-Maestro Delivers for Condo and Timeshare Owners
July 8, 2008
By: Judy Feldman, Contributing Correspondent

Northwind's Maestro software, which offers to the hospitality industry an online condo and timeshare owner management system as part of the company’s web connection package, now provides text messaging, so timeshare and condominium owners can use an cellphone to check what is going on with their property, and even to make adjust or cancel a reservation.

It permits users to access information via a browser, to view performance and check the availability of their unit, reserve the unit, and to view their owner statements online. It can be used with Windows, UNIX, Linux,Terminal Services, ASP and Web platforms.

Recent new clients include the 260-unit Jay Peak Resort in Vermont. “The Maestro Condo + Timeshare Management system’s web functionality makes our ownership operation much more efficient,” said Buffy Ardine, reservation manager for Jay Peak Resort. “Our owners view their statements online now, and since most owners prefer to manage their units this way, it provides them with better services and saves us the expense and time of sending out paper statements unless they request it. With online booking, owners have more control and flexibility and our operation runs more smoothly because their reservations are made in real time. Northwind is also enhancing the system this year to enable our owners to book ski lessons and other activities with their unit reservations.”

The Maestro Suite’s Front Office application is one of more than 20 integrated modules, including, for example, those for work order maintainence, finding dining and retail and making reservations.

As the hotel industry has evolved many companies are including or adding or changing some of their hotel rooms to timeshares and condominium apartment units. And as the hospitality marketing industry has been rolling out online accessibility to hotel owners and managers, the timeshare and condo owners have begun to want the same access. Explained Michael Squires of SoftScribe Inc. to CPN , "Many were saying, ‘We should be able to check on the activity in our property. We should be able to book our own unit without having to contact property managers.’" Added Squires, “The goal is to give owners as much access as is smart.”

 
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