Bass Hotels & Resorts Endorses Mitel and Property Technologies Solution for All North American Small and Mid-Sized Lodging Properties.

KANATA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 1999--MITEL(TSE:MLT) (ME:MLT) (NYSE:MLT) (LSE:MLT.L) Mitel's Small Business PBX Forms The Backbone Of Bass' New Advanced Telecommunications Infrastructure; Will Be Endorsed for Over 1,200 Properties In North America.

Mitel Corp. (NYSE:MLT) (TSE:MLT) and Property Technologies, Ltd. today announced they have been selected by Bass Hotels & Resorts(SM) ("BHR") to provide telecommunications solutions for all of its North American small and mid-sized lodging properties, up to 175 rooms. With BHR's endorsement, the Mitel and Property Technologies application will be made available to over 1,200 franchise facilities in North America. Leading hotel brands where the Mitel and Property Technologies solution will be installed include Holiday Inn(R), Holiday Inn Express(R), and Crowne Plaza(R).

Following an extensive search, BHR selected Mitel's small business telecommunications solution, the SX-200(R) EL PBX, for its small to mid-sized properties. According to BHR, the Mitel solution is unique in its ability to support its new telecommunications standards and allow hotels already using Mitel equipment to upgrade to the SX-200 EL. Mitel and Property Technologies also provide BHR with a winning combination of advanced functionality and implementation expertise.

"In approaching our telecommunications overhaul, the goal for Bass Hotels & Resorts was to eliminate a crowded and confusing field of technology providers and to standardize on a single, best in class solution," said Les Gable, Senior Manager of Hotel Telecommunications for Bass Hotels & Resorts. "Mitel and Property Technologies together form a unique pairing in the telecommunications industry. Mitel's small business solution stands apart from the field in offering robust functionality designed specifically for smaller applications. Property Technologies complements Mitel's product expertise with the hospitality industry's most proven, large-scale implementation experience."

The Mitel solution will be installed in Bass franchise properties over the next four years by Property Technologies, a Mitel Elite Dealer based in Richmond, Virginia. In areas where Property Technologies does not have a presence, the company will team with local, authorized Mitel dealers to ensure that Bass properties consistently receives the best possible service and after market support.

"Property Technologies' number one goal is to exceed the expectations of its customers," said Paul Cook, national accounts manager, Property Technologies, Ltd. "This is exactly what we did in teaming with Mitel. The result is a sophisticated, end-to-end solution that will provide a competitive edge to Bass properties for many years to come."

"Mitel is recognized in the hospitality industry for its commitment to designing products that deliver high-end functionality at cost-effective prices," said Carl Carruthers, vice president, Voice Systems, Mitel Corporation. "The SX-200 EL continues this legacy, enabling new Bass properties to deliver outstanding back office and guest room telecommunications functionality. In addition, every Mitel product provides superior investment protection, allowing Bass Hotels & Resorts properties using older Mitel solutions to easily and cost-effectively upgrade to the new SX-200 EL."

Exceeding Expectations

Mitel and Property Technologies were selected, among other reasons, because they exceed newly deployed telecommunications standards by Bass Hotels & Resorts, which include:

-- Guest rooms at every Bass property must have two phones and

extensions capable of providing simultaneous voice and data 

calls: this is easily supported by the SX-200 EL, which can

handle up to 350 telephones.

-- The telephone system at every Bass facility will interface with

the building's property management system (PMS): this is a

fundamental component of the SX-200 EL, based on Mitel's long

history of providing telecommunications solutions to the

hospitality industry.

About the Mitel Solution

The solution chosen by Bass for its properties includes Mitel's SX-200 EL, Superset 400(tm) Series handsets, and the Superconsole 1000(R).

-- The SX-200 EL is specifically designed to meet the real-time

voice communications needs of small hospitality environments and

businesses. Based on the core hardware and software of Mitel's

highly successful SX-200 LIGHT, the SX-200 EL provides the same

advanced functionality but in a smaller footprint. Capabilities

include centralized voicemail and attendant, fax tone detection

and automatic call distribution (ACD) support.

-- The Superset 4000 Series of telephones includes Mitel's

next-generation programmable softkey technology.

-- The Superconsole 1000 provides access to integrated telephone

features and guest room services, such as Room Status and

Automatic Wake-Up.

About Bass Hotels and Resorts

Bass PLC is one of the world's leading hospitality and leisure groups in the hotel, leisure retailing and branded drinks industries. Bass Hotels & Resorts, the Group's hotel division based in Atlanta, owns, manages and franchises more than 2,700 hotels, with more than 450,000 guest rooms in over 90 countries.

Bass Hotels & Resorts operates under various brands which include: Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Select, Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, StayBridge Suites, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

About Property Technologies

Property Technologies, Ltd., www.propertytechltd.com, is a specialized communications technology company, focused on the related voice and data communications needs of lodging, health care, retirement community and campus environments. Products and services offered are oriented toward revenue improvement, cost reduction, profit enhancement and increased user satisfaction. PTL clients benefit from a wide spectrum of telecommunications systems, services and consultative information. Success through successful customers is the cornerstone of the PTL business philosophy.

About Mitel

Mitel Corporation (NYSE:MLT) (TSE:MLT) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of semiconductors and systems for the communications industries. The company's products include integrated circuits for wired and wireless applications, applications-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), custom silicon wafers and optoelectronic and power devices; voice communications systems; networked voice and data systems, CTI systems and applications; telephony-enabled servers; public switching systems; and alternate network and remote access products. Mitel's leadership strategy is centered on developing strong microelectronics technology and advancing people-to-people communications in an open, distributed and standards-based environment.

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