New e-business-based management systems linked to enterprise data will enable
remote monitoring to improve operations in a service station network.
Houston, Sept. 27, 2001 Shell Oil Company has selected IBM as lead integrator
for its e-Station prototype, to be conducted in the U.S. Shells e-station
will leverage IBM expertise and wireless technology to link company-operated
retail locations with corporate systems, helping Shell to monitor and improve
its retail operations, and to reduce operating costs.
Significantly, the announcement is the third in a series of agreements
between Shell Oil or its parent company Royal Dutch/Shell, and IBM this year. It
continues IBM’s push to help companies integrate wireless technology into their
existing e-business infrastructure and extend their products and business
processes to non-traditional computing devices. In January, Shell deployed
seismic research applications onto an IBM Linux supercluster based on the IBM
eServer x330, and in July, Shell named IBM single-source provider for its five
regional MegaCentre data processing facilities.
Today’s announcement expands this relationship from supply chain and
enterprise into the retail network arena for the first time. IBM Global Services
wireless teams will develop an end-to-end infrastructure and support for
Internet-based systems. These systems will enable Shell to better manage the
operating costs of its retail operations. The infrastructure will also support
advanced customer applications at a future date.
Shell Oil Products LLC President Gus Noojin, said: This is a good example
of how Shell can leverage technology developed for residential and industrial
sectors to improve our retail network operations, and to grow the business here
in the US. We look forward to a successful prototype.
Eric Leon, general manager, IBM Global Chemical and Petroleum Industry,
said: Just as Shell management works to remove constraints on the flow of
petroleum from the ground to the gas pump, IBM strives to free the flow of
information, liberating Shell assets and empowering management to take strategic
actions on a grass-roots local retail level. This is a powerful management
opportunity for Shell to both reduce costs and increase business.
The selection of IBM Global Services will provide Shell with greater
strategic control over operations and expenses, with significant potential
savings for Shell in overall site operating costs if a successful pilot program
is rolled out in the United States.
The initial pilot will be conducted among a set of representative retail
stations. The pilot will determine how future technology will be rolled out in
several major regions within Shells global retail business. IBM will deploy
technology from Silicon Energy, Echelon, CP Technology Company, and R&D
Technology Solutionz, among others. This technology will be fundamentally
grounded in an open and extensible architecture assuring scalability and
compatibility.
About Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Products Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil
Company. The company holds the equity interest of Equilon Enterprises LLC,
Motiva Enterprises LLC, and the Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership. These
interests collectively are engaged in the refining, marketing, and
transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the United States.
Shell Oil Company, based in Houston, Texas, is an affiliate of the Royal
Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.
The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies, "the Group", is a diverse group
of energy companies with operations in more than 130 countries. The Group`s
businesses include oil and gas exploration and production; power generation;
manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and
renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. The Group`s parent
companies are Royal Dutch Petroleum Company which has a 60% interest in the
Group and The "Shell" Transport and Trading Company plc which has a 40% interest
in the Group. Shares in the parent companies are traded on stock exchanges in
Europe and the USA.
About IBM
IBM is the world`s largest information technology company, with 80 years of
leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM works with companies of all sizes
around the world to deploy the full range of IBM technologies. The fastest way
to get more information about IBM is through the IBM home page at
http://www.ibm.com.
###
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in
the United States and other countries. The IBM eServer brand consists of the
established IBM e-business logo with the following descriptive term ``server``
following it. All other company, product or service names mentioned may be
trademarks or service marks of others.
Contact:
Alison Murphy
TSI Communications for IBM Retail
Ph: 212-320-2229
amurphy@tsicomm.com
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