FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2002

EMS Enterprise 2.0's Self Service Web Interface One-Ups Existing Resource Scheduling Software

DENVER -- Dean Evans & Associates (www.dea.com) today announced the release EMS 2.0, a new version of EMS (Event Management System) Enterprise—the industry-standard room scheduling and event management software designed to save companies time and money. Large corporations, conference and convention centers, cultural venues, sports facilities, schools and universities, and churches will use EMS Enterprise 2.0 to manage their facilities in real time via the Web. The software eliminates the need to make a space request and wait for a telephone or email reply.

Earlier versions of EMS and current versions of competitors’ software require a request and a reply before meeting space can be reserved. Depending on the needs of a corporation or organization, Enterprise 2.0 can be configured for any combination of self-service or full service meeting room reservations and event planning.

No matter how it is configured, the software streamlines communication when an organization needs to manage meeting space and meeting-related services such as audio/video equipment and catering. “Companies don’t often have a centralized way to schedule and manage meetings,” says Kevin Raasch, executive vice president of Dean Evans & Associates. “Many of our corporate customers have very complex event management needs – sometimes thousands of meeting spaces all around the world. Our software is extremely comprehensive and can organize every aspect of those meetings from initial scheduling to final billing for services.”

EMS Enterprise 2.0 has 23 features that clearly distinguish it from competitors, including:

• Advanced Web Interface – An advanced, real-time Web interface provides detailed event information, a search engine for finding specific events, room availability and online room and meeting service reservation processing. The user can view existing facilities bookings across the entire inventory, and the software automatically matches available space against date and venue requirements.
• Flexible, Sophisticated User Profiling – The all new Web interface for EMS Enterprise 2.0 can be configured for self-service booking, full service event planning, or virtually anywhere in between. Web user security privileges can mirror any individual’s level of departmental or business unit responsibility. For instance, executives might be the only users allowed scheduling privileges to the executive boardroom; human resource department employees might be allowed to self-book the HR conference room, but employees in other departments would only be able to request use of the room.
• Inventory Control – The software advises users of the availability of audio/video equipment, lighting, tables, chairs, etc., and sends a warning when equipment is subject to over-booking. As a result, over-booking is virtually eliminated.
• Billing – EMS Enterprise 2.0 handles the billing and accounts receivable functions for all meeting-related services and resources such as audio/video equipment, catering and labor—from any number of service providers. It even supports an unlimited number of prices and rate plans.

EMS Enterprise 2.0 greatly reduces the time that meeting planners spend scheduling and organizing meetings, allowing more time for customer service and significantly increasing overall productivity.

In addition to saving time, EMS Enterprise 2.0 reduces overhead. It allows a corporation to share rooms and resources. It checks space and equipment availability, often eliminating unnecessary third-party rentals. The software also informs planners when meeting space is unused, giving the company the option to rent the space to others.

“Customers select our software because it’s fast, comprehensive and yet very easy to use. They demand versatility and a fast, easy installation,” says Raasch. “The fact is, no other resource scheduling software better fits the needs of companies and organizations than Enterprise 2.0—it simply makes their lives easier while saving their company money.”

About Dean Evans & Associates

Founded in 1986 and based in Denver, Colo., Dean Evans & Associates develops, markets and supports a line of sophisticated software products for facility scheduling, event management and office hoteling. Their Event Management System (EMS) family of products is ideal for scheduling and managing events, rooms, services and resources for a wide variety of educational institutions, associations, organizations and corporations. Dean Evans & Associates offers an EMS solution for virtually any facility or organization that needs help to schedule, manage and streamline special events and operations for greater efficiency. Thousands of companies and organizations rely on EMS software including conference and convention centers, cultural venues, sports facilities, schools and universities, and churches. Online demonstrations of the software are available at www.dea.com, or call 1-800-440-3994 and ask to speak with Kevin Raasch.