Muscat, June 08, 2008: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), which operates most of Oman's upstream oil and gas production facilities and infrastructures, has turned to Gulf Business Machines (GBM) to implement Data Acquisition and Control Architecture (DACA) security standards for its IT networking system.

The remote monitoring and control of PDO facilities involves transferring data to the central control rooms and the Company's Mina Al Fahal (MAF) offices, where historic data exists. The data is further processed, analyzed and interpreted by responsible parties to control the oil and gas fields, make critical decisions and optimize production

The DACA concept - applied when asset fields' applications and systems are required to communicate and be connected with each other- is a key necessity to the production process allowing users to access systems and applications.

The revolutionary concept ensures the success of remote operations by optimizing production forecasting via higher data accuracy and availability. It also ensures a higher security for data and facilities allowing users to obtain required key production parameters to activate controls and make production-related decisions.

DACA, which is seen as an important stride toward the development of real time optimization and introduction of system security and availability into the process control environment, also provides more interconnectivity between Process Control Domain (PCD) and Office Domain (OD) giving users the ability to access field systems to make use of data and systems in real time.

PDO awarded GBM a six-month deal to implement DACA security standards to its complex IT network where GBM would segregate the company office domain (OD) from the process control domain (PCD).

Mr. Samer Nader, Integrated Networking and Site Services Manager (INSS) at GBM explained that GBM teams would carry-out the physical segregation of PCD and OD systems. This segregation will increase technical security in both domains introducing the necessary work-flows and processes within the operations teams, and at the same time it will guarantee the process control data integrity.

"We partnered with GBM because they are one of the largest IT solutions and service providers in the region, delivering globally-acclaimed solutions through their skilled workforce," said Mr. Ali Al Lawati, Head, IT Infrastructure Development at PDO. "We have partnered with GBM on several other projects over the years, and we are satisfied with their expertise, which is confirmed by their Cisco Gold Partner status held since 2003."

"From initial planning and design to the creation and management of globe-spanning networks, we provided prime network operations related products and services," continued Mr. Samer Nader

GBM, which has 18 years of comprehensive experience in data communications and networking solutions, has been providing the latest in these technologies to customers in key infrastructure areas including airlines, transportation, banking, telecommunication and others allowing customers to keep their multi-vendor, multi-national, and multi-protocol networks live and optimized.

According to Mr. Nader, GBM's top priority, while customizing the project to meet PDO's IT security needs, is to ensure the customers' workflow remains unaffected. "Our INSS Unit, which plays a critical role in this project, has over twenty Cisco Systems certified engineers, and we are utilizing the full extent of their skills to ensure that the implementation of the changes is a seamless one for both PDO and its clients", he concluded.

-Ends-

About Gulf Business Machines (GBM):
Gulf Business Machines began its operations in 1999. With over 40,000 products to the GBM portfolio and distribution network across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, the company today offers an extensive range of services from consulting to deployment, and integration to support, for a growing customer base throughout the Gulf.

The company aims to help customers beat the many IT challenges by providing the best products and services, through its flexible and mobile workforce of over 400 IT professionals, ensuring extensive reach and unrivalled local market knowledge throughout the region.

GBM is the recipient of the prestigious Dubai Quality Appreciation Award from the Government of Dubai, and has won Best System Integrator at the Network Middle East awards for the past three years.  

The company is also a unique Gold Certified Partner of Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, having attained the Gold status across the region.

For further information please contact
Ilana Zacka,
Promoseven Weber Shandwick,
Tel: +973 17500777;
mobile: +973 36388736;
email: ilana.zacka@promoseven.com

© Press Release 2008