FAST and Compris Announce Strategic Alliance

Leading Foodservice Technology Providers to Address Industry's Mounting Labor Challenges

Kennesaw, GA and Stratford, CT – October 29, 1999 – Compris Technologies, Inc., a global leader in foodservice software application solutions, announced today a strategic alliance with Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (FAST), the leading supplier of process control systems for restaurant kitchen equipment, to provide complete software solutions for the restaurant industry which integrate point-of-sale and backoffice systems with back-of-the-house commercial kitchen appliances.

Through this strategic alliance, both companies are working together to define and implement interfaces between the Compris WinPOS point-of-sale application and Advanced Managers WorkStation (AMWS) backoffice application with the FAST Smart Commercial Kitchen (SCK) restaurant management system and appliance network software. When integrated, the Compris and FAST systems will offer foodservice operators improved process tracking, automated alerts, enhanced demand forecasting, reduced wastage, and lowered labor costs.

Additional benefits to the foodservice operator will include real time information from the back office and kitchen preparation areas, which is seamlessly integrated to improve decision making. Tighter control over food costs will be achieved through linking sales and inventory usage with actual cooking activities, while labor productivity will be enhanced by aligning schedules with projected cleaning and maintenance activities. All of these factors can lead to increased speed of service and overall customer satisfaction, say spokespersons for the two companies.

“We are excited about the opportunity to further enhance the value of our software solutions to the restaurant owner, by improving the processes associated with the in-store management of the kitchen,” said Martin Bradley, President and CEO of Compris. “This alliance offers the potential to achieve significant benefits within the store, through greater levels of automation and better information.”

“SCK’s open architecture will allow the operator to freely exchange data between key pieces of kitchen equipment and the Compris AMWS,” said Mario Ceste, Vice President of FAST. “Our relationship with Compris will enable us to provide our customers with added interconnectivity, data collection, and deliver impressive bottom-line savings that result from comprehensive, real-time product production forecasting.

”When integrated, SCK and AMWS will track product inventory as it flows through the kitchen, recording data about the mix of products being prepared or soon to be prepared, then comparing the data to forecasts and waste tracking. Using this real-time forecasting, the systems together will intelligently schedule and prompt the operator through product preparation and maintenance tasks, and also give the restaurant manager enhanced data to track employee hours and staffing levels while monitoring labor costs in relation to volumes of product prepared.

About FAST
FAST, headquartered in Stratford, Conn., is the leading manufacturer of appliance controls specially developed for use in the foodservice and related industries. As the pioneer of process controls for multi-unit restaurants 30 years ago, FAST continues to lead the design and engineering of equipment controls that produce premium food quality and are easy to use. FAST is an approved controls supplier at leading quick service restaurants worldwide, including KFC, Burger King, Popeyes, Arby's, Churchs Chicken, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and others. More information about FAST's products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at www.fastinc.com, requested via e-mail at jdaniel@fastinc.com, or by calling 1-800-327-8766.

About Compris Technologies
Compris Technologies, an Atlanta based company founded in 1989, is the market leader in innovative color touchscreen technology for the hospitality industry. Compris combines expertise in software technology with years of restaurant operational experience to offer customers the highest quality solutions and services for today, and into the future. Compris’ product suite, which includes WinPOS point-of-sale, Advanced Manager’s Workstation (AMWS), Multi-Site Maintenance System (MS2) and Executive Information System (EIS), is developed to reduce costs and increase sales. On the support side, Compris surrounds its product line with professional services including Training, Project Management, Implementation, Support Services, 24x7 Help Desk, and Software Maintenance. With its proven store-to-corporate solutions, Compris has serviced many well-known restaurant operators whose names are recognized worldwide. More information on Compris and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.compristech.com.

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