"The true importance of this launch lies not just in its size, but in the way it will enable our hotel franchisees to conduct business," said Eric Pfeffer, Chairman and CEO of Cendant's Hotel Division. "Our aim is to help the operators of small properties to not only understand the use and value of e-business, but also to develop the ability to compete more aggressively by partnering with anyone, anywhere."
 
The project will enable brand franchisees to expand their customer base and grow their businesses, Pfeffer added. The sites will afford individual properties the opportunities to add to their revenue stream sources beyond the traditional "room nights;" expand event business; partner more efficiently with local and regional attractions and institutions; and respond quickly to various promotions throughout the travel industry.
 
"In addition to greatly expanding a franchisee's marketing reach to potential customers and partners anywhere on the Web, Netopia's flexible template architecture allows them to develop a wide range of income opportunities," said Alan Lefkof, CEO and president of Netopia. "These interactive web sites will make it possible for individual franchisees to showcase their properties, conduct mass or targeted promotions, and enhance their community presence in a highly effective, cost-efficient way. With this initiative, Cendant is providing its franchisees with greater access to the rapidly expanding electronic marketplace.�

Hotel guests of the four Cendant chains will have high-speed access to the Internet via a CAIS portal that will feature the home page of the franchisee�s Web site provided by Netopia. 
 
Its singular focus on small business made Netopia the ideal partner for Cendant in this venture. Netopia is a leader in the building of scalable, customizable and flexible Web platforms that ensure Web site "ownership," brand integrity, and product quality.
 
Netopia's client list includes The American Dental Association Electronic Commerce Company (ADA Ecco), Citigroup�s Bizzed.com entrepreneur portal, Netscape�s Netcenter portal, and theseniornetwork.com with their respective members and franchisees.

About Netopia
Netopia, Inc., of Alameda, California, develops, markets and supports Internet and electronic commerce infrastructure for small and medium-size businesses. Netopia's DSL equipment and Web platforms enable businesses to easily and cost-effectively connect to the Internet, establish and enhance their Internet presence, and conduct business and electronic commerce on the Web. 

With the Netopia Web site and E-Commerce platform, the Company has established Web site and E-Store services with Citigroup�s Bizzed.com, Netscape Netcenter, and Concentric Network. With its Netopia DSL Router family, the Company has established strategic relationships with leading competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) including NorthPoint Communications, Rhythms NetConnections and Jato Communications.