PDO Deploys Video Collaboration Technology for Rapid Response and Improved Safety in the Field

Librestream, the leader in mobile video collaboration solutions for enterprise, and Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the Middle East’s number one provider of IT solutions and services, have been selected to provide the collaborative video camera solution for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) using Cisco networking solutions. PDO is the foremost exploration and production company in the Sultanate accounting for more than 70% of the country's crude-oil production and nearly all of its natural-gas supply.

PDO will use Librestream’s Onsight rugged smart camera devices and Inmarsat BGAN services in the field to share live video, images and audio with remote experts on their desktop computers or in Cisco TelePresence® rooms in a highly secure way. These experts include internal PDO teams as well as third party suppliers or vendors, when required, to rapidly diagnose field emergency situations.

“In many situations, field engineers need to stay a safe distance away from the equipment when diagnosing emergencies such as well head relief valve failures. In this case, engineers can use the digital zoom on the Onsight camera device to give experts in the Muscat, Oman headquarters or a key supplier in North America the detail they need to help diagnose the field issue from afar,” explained Michael Murphy, Vice President, International Operations at Librestream. He continued, “PDO has demonstrated a clear commitment to safety and innovation and we are pleased to be working with Cisco and GBM to deliver this solution.”

PDO has already deployed the video collaboration solution in the field and identified benefits such as accelerated response to issues in the field as well as improvements in safety and overall communication.

“The PDO project is one example of many where we’ve collaborated with Librestream, including a variety of deployments at leading global industrial firms—from automotive and CPG manufacturers to O&G and utility operations. The Librestream platform combined with Cisco’s leading networking and digitization solutions enable fully-immersive collaborations across remote teams,” said Chet Namboodri, Senior Director, Cisco Global Private Sector Industries.

Librestream recently signed an agreement with GBM, a Cisco Gold Partner, to resell its Onsight platform in the Middle East. As an authorized reseller, Gulf Business Machines (GBM) will bundle the Onsight offering from Librestream with Cisco networking products and related services. The Onsight offering includes hardened, Ex-certified video devices; collaboration software for desktops, smartphones and tablets; and centralized management tools.

"As a Cisco Gold partner and holder of Master Certification in both Collaboration and Security, we are proud to support PDO in this important initiative.  PDO has been an important client of GBM for some time now, and we are proud to work with them as they continue to bring innovation to their business,"  said Hani Nofal, Vice President, Intelligent Network Solutions, GBM.