Shell Oil tests "e-stations"

IBM Global Services is fueling yet another IT project at Shell Oil. The latest initiative involves wireless retail solutions for Shell Oil gas stations.

IBM Global Services will develop an end-to-end infrastructure that tie Shell's retail operations to the company's back-office systems.

The solution, which is in the "pilot project" stage, includes wireless connectivity and Internet-based systems. IBM will also deploy retail- and vertical-market systems from Silicon Energy, Echelon, CP Technology Company and R&D Technology Solutions.

This is IBM Global Service's third major deal this year with Shell Oil and its parent company, Royal Dutch Shell. A January deal involved IBM eServer clusters running Linux and seismic research applications, and a July agreement called for IBM to support Shell Oil's MegaCentre data-processing facilities. --Joseph C. Panettieri, Smart Partner