Advanced Tecnology (UK) Plc Acquires RAMAR Technology Ltd.

AT RAMAR, LLC Technology Limited ("RAMAR"), announced today that it has been acquired by Advance Technology (UK) Plc ("ATL"). The acquisition brings together market leaders in Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) to create a world beating solutions provider.

A publicly-traded United Kingdom (UK) based company with offices in Poole England, ATL has successfully applied its technology into the two-way fixed network data capture market; this provides utilities the ability to interactively manage their customer base and significantly reduce meter park management costs. ATL has developed strategic partnerships with major meter manufacturers, licensees and wide area network data communications providers; these enable ATL to deliver tailored solutions in a variety of network configurations. ATL won the 1996 Information Technology Europe Award, and also offers its technology through subsidiaries to the security and OEM markets (ATL Monitors), and Marina applications (ATL Marine).

RAMAR, with offices in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and London, England, has an established presence in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, and North American markets. It specializes in hand held and mobile AMR, with a range of products that are compatible across a wide range of meter types; RAMAR's technology is ideal for water, gas and electric utilities. RAMAR's product range uses standard interfaces and protocols that enable products to integrate with popular route management and billing software programs, hand held computers and meters. In the USA, RAMAR is particularly successful in the water utility industry, including sub-metering.

The combined ATL and RAMAR will therefore be able to offer the full range of AMR solutions, from hand held and mobile reading systems through to 2-way fixed network solutions.

"We believe we are the only company in the world with specialist skills and a market presence across the whole spectrum of AMR solutions", explains Peter Robertson, Managing Director, Advanced Technology (UK) plc. "RAMAR is very active in Europe and USA through a strong group of partners; we will build on this to introduce ATL's fixed network solutions to utilities who require enhancements to their customer management capabilities. Similarly, over the last three years ATL have been very active in 2 way fixed network AMR in a number of overseas markets; with the addition of the RAMAR range of products, we can offer an even better proposition to these customers."

The focus over the next months is to exploit both the ATL and RAMAR brands throughout the world. In the USA, all products will be marketed under the RAMAR brand; outside USA, the ATL brand will be developed. Over the longer term, the portfolios will be merged to enable utilities to use both technologies within their network to serve different segments of their customer base. A migration path will enable utilities to operate their existing RAMAR installations in a fixed 2 way network.

Mike Ueland, Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development for RAMAR in the USA comments: "This provides RAMAR with new and exciting opportunities to expand even further in the most active AMR market in the world. ATL's technology and AMR solutions expertise coupled with their financial strength will allow us to serve utilities with more comprehensive solutions. This enhanced capability will enable us to respond to the critical needs of our customers as they respond to the major challenges from the increasing pace of deregulation in the USA."

For more information on AT RAMAR, LLC and ATL's products, call 1-888-98-RAMAR, or visit our websites at www.ramartech.com and www.atl-systems.com.