Hotel Outsource Management International, Inc. Presents Q2 2008 Results and Phase Forward Safety Group President Chan Russell Recognized by Boston Business Journal, Named to Champions in Health Care List

City of Industry, CA --(www.USEquityNews.com)-- 08/20/2008 - Business Services industry alert provided by U.S. Equity News. Hotel Outsource Management International, Inc. ("HOMI") (NASDAQ:HOUM.OB) presented its consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. Revenues for the quarter reached US$936,000, compared to US$984,000 in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease of $48,000 or 4.9%. However, revenues represent an increase of 5.9% compared to revenues of US$884,000 in the first quarter of 2008. Revenues for the second quarter of 2007 included revenues from two hotels in South Africa to which, as of January 1st 2008, HOMI no longer provides services, following the assignment by HOMI of the agreements with such hotels and of the related equipment, in the context of HOMI's indirect acquisition of the minority interest in HOMI South Africa (Pty) Ltd. ("HOMI SA") and separation from the previous holder of such minority interest. Gross Profit for the quarter, after consideration of depreciation expense, was US$299,000, compared to US$392,000 in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease of 23%. Gross profit margin decreased from 39.8% to 31.9%. Such decrease is partly due to an increase in depreciation expense as HOMI began, for the first time, to depreciate certain tools, molds and other assets related to the production process of the HOMI(R) 336 systems. In addition, certain reorganization steps that were implemented gave rise to onetime costs that had a slight negative effect on Gross Profit level. Operating Loss for the quarter was US$264,000, compared to an operating loss of US$57,000 in the second quarter of 2007. As a result of the intensive marketing activities related to the HOMI(R) 336 system and creation of a new sale and marketing infrastructure for the new range of products, Selling and Marketing expenses increased. General and Administrative expenses increased due to additional consulting services that HOMI retained to support our expected growth as well as the expansion of HOMI's financial department.



Orbitz.com (http://www.orbitz.com), a pioneer in online travel, recently announced it is the first major online travel company to offer a dedicated vacation rental site (http://vacationrentals.orbitz.com). Through a partnership with Zonder, a leading vacation rental provider, Orbitz is giving its customers access to the largest portfolio of vacation homes that can be booked instantly online through a major online travel company. Created to give customers a user-friendly, one-stop experience for finding the best lodging options, Orbitz' vacation rental properties include unique offerings of private homes, condo rentals, cabin rentals and villas for a variety of budgets and vacation experiences. With Zonder's platform, Orbitz travelers view real-time availability and receive immediate booking confirmations. "Orbitz continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation as the first major online travel company to give our customers dedicated access to this growing segment of the travel industry," said Steve Barnhart, Chief Executive Officer and President of Orbitz Worldwide. "In recently's challenging economy, travelers can benefit from the price savings and the extra space and amenities that come with alternative lodging options. With the addition of vacation rental inventory, Orbitz customers have another option when planning a vacation that suits their needs and budget."

Phase Forward (NASDAQ: PFWD), a leading provider of data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety, recently announced that Chan Russell, president of its Lincoln Safety Group, was named to the prestigious Boston Business Journal Champions in Health Care list. In its fifth year, the award serves to honor the best and brightest professionals in the Bay State's world-class health care industry. These Champions in Health Care are the best examples of the dedicated, caring, and highly skilled professionals who contribute to Massachusetts' reputation as a leading center of medicine and provider of high quality health care," said Mike Olivieri, publisher of the Boston Business Journal. "We are honoring them for their innovations in medicine and their commitment to improving lives." Widely respected for his leadership and commitment, Mr. Russell's high standards and steadfast development efforts have dramatically improved the way pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies are able to collect and analyze drug safety data. Recently and thanks to Mr. Russell's work, life sciences companies globally, as well as the FDA and the MHRA, use Phase Forward's safety solutions as a standard for improved drug safety monitoring.

ELM Technologies, Inc. (OTC: ETGS), the provider of innovative workforce modeling and scheduling solutions to long-term care providers, recently announced that River Oaks Healthcare Center in Columbus, TX has committed to acquire the GENERATOR(TM) workforce modeling and scheduling system for their nursing. Founded in 1993, River Oaks Healthcare Center is a 140-bed facility with 100+ employees servicing the greater Colorado County area. "Long-term care providers understand the intricate challenges involved in establishing an efficient workforce model, and River Oaks is no exception," stated Barbara Rivera, President of ELM Technologies. Barbara added, "Maintaining appropriate staffing levels, controlling labor costs, and ensuring staff have the proper qualifications to provide quality service are all keys to successful growth of any healthcare organization.

About U.S. Equity News

U.S. Equity News provides information, resources and news services for investors of small-cap, micro-cap and emerging companies. U.S. Equity News distributes RSS news feeds and a free subscription-based newsletter available through its website at www.usequitynews.com.

U.S. Equity News is a financial news distribution service by Equity Solutions, Inc. (www.equityirsolutions.com) that provides a platform for public companies to disseminate important news to key Wall Street interest such as shareholders and new investors. Equity Solutions, Inc. can assist by providing an effective increase in the awareness of a public company's news, development and corporate story through its proprietary network and its financial portal. U.S. Equity News and its affiliates charge each client cash for news distribution and may take an equity position in the companies mentioned herein, please visit the disclaimer at www.USEquityNews.com.

Contact Information:
U.S. Equity News
Tel: (626) 961-8039
Email: info@usequitynews.com

Comments:
Disclaimer: User Comments do not reflect the views of US Equity News, and we are not responsible for the content of users' comments. We also reserve the right to edit or delete comments to our discretion.

---