Pacific & Orient Takes Remote Security Business Global over IP Network Infrastructure from Cisco Systems

Business Wire, Oct 6, 2004

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Pacific & Orient (P&O) Berhad's Global Technologies division is taking its remote security business global, built over an IP (Internet Protocol) network infrastructure using equipment from Cisco Systems(R) (Nasdaq:CSCO). P&O's Digital Surveillance service provides real-time monitoring in countries such as the United States, Thailand and Malaysia through IP video monitoring cameras from Sony Electronics. This announcement was made at Showcase 2004, an annual industry conference for the networking professionals organized by Cisco(R).

P&O's service enables companies to monitor their remote offices from any location over the IP network. The IP Surveillance solution from Cisco and Sony combines Sony's IP Surveillance cameras, surveillance software application and information gathering technology with Cisco's routers, networking infrastructure and software. Each of the cameras and other sensors provided by Sony has its own IP address, making it as easy to monitor facilities as it is to surf a Web site.

"Security is a top priority for any company today. However, keeping a close eye on your assets can be a costly and time-consuming exercise. P&O is delivering a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy service that is backed up by P&O Global Technologies' 24-hour worldwide technical support. We are able to do this thanks to the IP Surveillance solution from Cisco and Sony. The solution is so good that you can pan, tilt and zoom the video cameras and get excellent real-time video images even in low-light conditions," said Mr. Chan Thye Seng, chief executive officer of P&O Berhad and chief operating officer of P&O Global Technologies Sdn. Bhd.

One of the benefits of the Cisco and Sony solution is its ability to multiply the effectiveness of security personnel and provide new levels of functionality and flexibility. Adding the intelligence of Cisco networks to security surveillance systems enables a single security officer to monitor many times the locales than is possible with a traditional, analog-based system.

"IP-based video surveillance systems are being used by police departments around the world and provide them with a new powerful tool to combat crime. This technology is now available widely thanks to technological advances and innovative service providers such as P&O. Cisco is extremely satisfied to be able to provide the technology foundation for a Malaysian company to expand its business globally," said Mr. Johnson Khoo, managing director, Malaysia, Cisco Systems.

The Cisco and Sony solution offered by P&O comprises Sony's SNC-RZ30N or SNC-Z20N network cameras and FSV-M5 network attached storage servers running Sony's Real Shot camera manager application software over the Cisco Systems network. Cisco components are Cisco Catalyst(R) 3550 Series switches, Cisco Aironet(R) access points, PCMCIA wireless LAN adapters, PIX(R) 500 Series firewalls, VPNs and CiscoSecure ACS for Windows(R).

Embedded Web servers in the Sony IP Surveillance cameras allow up to 50 simultaneous feeds using 25x optical zoom lenses and 12x digital zooms. Working through the Internet infrastructure, users can control the cameras or access information from PCs, laptops or even handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs). All the information generated by the cameras is in fully Internet-compatible formats, which means that still and video images can be monitored, recorded and printed anywhere on the network by authorized personnel. Archiving is also quick and easy.

"In wake of growing awareness for safety and security in the market, Sony felt that it is timely to provide a complete IP monitoring solution to the market. Being a leading provider of hardware, Sony will continue our efforts to stay at the forefront by offering state-of-art IP network products to fulfill the market's growing security needs. This is further enhanced by working closely with leading vendors such as Cisco Systems, and smart partnerships with system integrators like P&O Global Technologies," said Mr. Bernard Neoh, Deputy General Manager of Broadcast & Professional Solutions Division, Sony (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

About Pacific & Orient Berhad

Pacific & Orient started as a private limited company in 1994. It acquired Pacific & Orient Insurance (P&O Insurance), one of the largest Malaysian general insurers, and then went on to be listed on the Main Board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1995. Since then, Pacific & Orient Berhad has diversified in business interests to include financial services, information technology and distribution services. These businesses have a common pool of human and information resources which the Group can capitalize on in its search for new business and investment opportunities. More information at: www.pacific-orient.com.

About Sony (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Sony (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd began its first operations in Malaysia on 31 October 1973. Today, its staff strength has grown to over 300 people with a sales volume of over 600 million for its financial year ending 2003. The operations specializes in marketing, sales and service. With over 500 Sony authorized dealers, Sony also owns a retail store known as Sony Wings located at Suria KLCC. Sony Wings is the first store of its kind in Asia, outside Japan, and helps Sony to provide a closer business relationship with its consumers.