R&M Energy Selects Stratos for BGAN-Based SCADA Network

• Network provides dependable monitoring and control to remote sites worldwide--

BETHESDA, MD, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ - Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced it has been selected by R&M Energy Systems (R&M) to deploy a global SCADA network based on Inmarsat's BGAN mobile broadband satellite service. Stratos was selected by R&M through Stratos Channel Partner Galaxy 1 Communications.

R&M, based near Houston, is one of the leading providers of closures, valves, drilling components and artificial lift systems for the global oil and gas industry. Deployment of R&M's new BGAN SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) network expanded last month to include all of R&M's key operating regions. Network deployment is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year, with new deployments coming online as needed.

The custom-designed network utilizes BGAN satellite terminals to reliably transmit operational data from oil pumps and other mission-critical equipment in remote areas not accessible by R&M's traditional monitoring infrastructure. The BGAN SCADA network is fully integrated with R&M's control and monitoring platform. It provides IP connectivity to field equipment via the Internet or a private VPN network.

R&M's future plans include monitoring automated choke valves and other active and passive equipment. In the past, R&M's customers did not have the ability or capacity to capture and present operational data from that equipment in an economical manner. As a manufacturer of pumping equipment for oil and gas, industrial and municipal markets, it is important for R&M to provide its customers with a single, integrated solution that is supported by the pump manufacturer.

BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) uses small, lightweight terminals to provide simultaneous, high-speed IP data and voice connectivity anywhere in the world.

"The ability to provide our customers with these remote monitoring and control capabilities is extremely valuable," said R&M Product Champion for Automation and Control Michael Smith. "It enables them to allocate limited resources to address the most critical issues first. Having up-to-the minute telemetry on equipment and remote diagnostics allows our customers to dispatch the right equipment and personnel to resolve problems as quickly as possible."

Smith added, "With Stratos' dependable BGAN SCADA service, we benefit from a single-source, universal solution that works anywhere and is easy to use. This eliminates the need to engage multiple local providers in dozens of different regions."

This BGAN SCADA network relies on Stratos Dashboard to enable optimal network productivity and affordability by providing real-time traffic reports, cost control and online provisioning for new terminals. Stratos Dashboard is the foundation of The Stratos Advantage portfolio of value-added services.

Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "Our BGAN SCADA service has become the ideal remote-connectivity solution for some of the world's leading energy-services companies. It is gratifying to meet a critical need for R&M and to help them provide superior customer service."

Parm added, "This latest deployment strengthens our position as the preferred provider of creative SCADA solutions to support the demanding global networking requirements of many of the world's most important markets - including upstream oil and gas, utilities, mining, water-management and tower-monitoring."

This BGAN SCADA network uses Hughes 9201-M2M Satellite IP SCADA Terminals, a specially engineered Class 1 compact BGAN terminal enclosed in a protective housing. The terminals are designed for permanent, fixed-site deployment and 24x7 network connectivity in the harsh environments associated with remote SCADA networks.

About BGAN SCADA from Stratos
The BGAN SCADA service supports applications for data collection and monitoring of remote assets - including utility substations and oil or gas pipelines. The BGAN SCADA service uses the reliable Inmarsat I4 satellites operating in the L-band frequency, which are proven to withstand rain fade and other environmental factors. A BGAN-based SCADA network also may serve as the perfect complement to DataSat II from Stratos, the Company's Ku-band, VSAT-based SCADA service. The BGAN SCADA service can serve as a network-independent backup solution to DataSat II, ensuring seamless connectivity in case of extreme weather. More than 10,000 Stratos VSAT-based SCADA terminals have been deployed for a wide range of markets across the United States.

About BGAN from Stratos
Since its introduction in late 2005, BGAN from Stratos has been widely adopted by media organizations, military agencies, first responders and professionals in many other industries worldwide. Stratos is one of the world's largest BGAN distributors, with more than 14,000 BGAN activations in 185 countries. Those customers fully utilize The Stratos Advantage, a suite of value-added services that help make BGAN usage more productive and affordable.

With the benefit of The Stratos Advantage, BGAN from Stratos is elevated far above baseline BGAN services. These value-added services, including Stratos Dashboard for BGAN, provide users with cost control, firewall management, full traffic information, pre-paid facilities, high security options, easy VPN access, messaging services and a full range of IP options. Also, StratosNexus offers a secure and managed last-mile solution for SCADA traffic through global Stratos Points of Presence (POPs). More information on BGAN from Stratos is available at www.thepowerofbgan.com.

About R&M Energy Systems
More than 60 years of reliable field service has made R&M Energy Systems an industry leader in designing, manufacturing and servicing closures and valves for vessel manufacturers and pipeline construction companies. R&M is a unit of Robbins & Myers, Inc. (NYSE: RBN). For more information, visit www.rmenergy.com.

About Stratos
Stratos is the world's trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.

SOURCE Stratos Global Corporation