Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT)
Whether it’s the concept for a new skyscraper, the upgrade of a rail network, the modelling of a flood defence system or the improvement of a management process, we plan, design and enable solutions. Founded in 1938 by Sir William Atkins, Atkins employs over 17,000 staff based in more than 200 permanent offices worldwide. Projects have been undertaken in more than 150 countries. As of June 2009, Atkins generated an annual turnover in excess of £1.5 billion. Atkins is the largest engineering consultancy in the UK, the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe, the largest UK engineering consultancy in the Middle East and the world’s eighth largest global design firm. Our size brings significant value to our clients, allowing us to harness an unrivalled pool of creative, professional people to produce outstanding solutions to challenging problems.
Who we are
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Atkins is a multinational design and
engineering consultancy, providing
expertise to help resolve complex
challenges presented by the built
and natural environment.
Atkins implements a comprehensive range of fully certified and integrated quality, safety and environmental management systems that distinguish us from our competitors. This means we can guarantee unrivalled performance standards.
All of our Middle East & India operations are externally certified to all three internationally recognised QSE management systems:
BS EN ISO 9001 –
Quality Management System
BS EN ISO 14001:2004 –
Environmental Management System
OHSAS 18001 –
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series
Quality delivery
We have a regional Business Quality Director to oversee the administration of the business management systems, including the implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS). Each office also has a Quality Manager.
We are able to integrate quality procedures into all the projects that we deliver on behalf of government ministries, local governments, hotel and leisure project operators, major real estate developers, national oil companies, contractors in the oil and gas sector and private clients.
What we deliver
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Atkins ICT team provides consultancy and management support services for
telecommunication and IT projects undertaken for government, industry, transport and commerce.
Telecoms and IT services are fundamental to the functioning success of modern society. The implementation of telecoms and IT systems is an imperative activity for business; it can involve large investment and requires a comprehensive knowledge of changing technology.
Our ICT team has over 20 years of experience providing consultancy services in the respective disciplines to a large number of clients across various sectors.
Atkins is independent of suppliers, contractors, funding organisations and governments and we provide impartial, unbiased advice. Atkins also has a highly experienced team providing technical consultancy, design and project management services for advanced security systems, public area CCTV systems, control rooms and both digital and analogue video transmission systems. Independent and internationally respected, the team has designed and project managed complex systems for residential areas, town centres, transportation providers, business parks, ports, airports, hospitals, leisure facilities and many high security projects.
Through the wider Group resource we can draw on other areas of expertise within the company if a project requires it.
These areas include the traditional mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineering disciplines, as well as specialist services in the field of economic strategy, market planning, financial consultancy and information technology.
Telecoms and IT services are fundamental to the
functioning success of modern society.
ICT services in the region
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Our clients benefit from the provision
of a ‘best value’ service.
Atkins ICT team has a significant presence in Middle East & India having successfully delivered design and consultancy services over the years in various sectors within the region.
We plan all aspects of our client’s projects.
We design systems, processes and infrastructure for operators’ communications networks, and integrated systems for major users. We enable complex
programmes, delivering one-off projects and managing ongoing processes.
Our clients benefit from the provision of a ‘best value’ service, resulting in the desired business outcomes, reduced timescales, cost, disruption and the delivery of solutions wherever they require them.
Services
Atkins provides consultancy and management support services for complete telecoms or IT systems delivery including:
• Project management
• Systems integration
• Systems migration
• Engineering and design Our expert services include:
• Strategic, technical and market studies
• Feasibility, viability and cost studies
• Network planning, demand and traffic forecasting
• Concept, detail and system interface design
Experience
Atkins has extensive experience of working closely with clients to understand their ICT requirements. We can help to:
• Demonstrate where technology brings value
• Interpret strategic business and regulatory issues
• Allow appropriate time for ` technology integration
• Resolve complex technical and design problems
• Ensure secure and dependable systems and networks
Technology
From strategy to systems integration, the Atkins ICT team provides expert services in technologies such as:
• Data networks (LAN, WAN, MAN)
• Voice networks; PBX, VoIP, PA, call centres
• Copper/optical cabling systems
• Radio networks; broadband, WLAN, 2G/3G, PMR
• Security systems; CCTV, access control, security
• C3 systems, control rooms, and Man Machine Interface (MMI).
Telecommunications
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Atkins has engineered over one million km
of telecoms infrastructure.
Atkins recognises the importance of taking a structured and methodical approach to the provision of consultancy services: a consultancy must project manage its own resources, as well as those of a client’s contractors to guarantee success.
Modern business and society will fail to function in an effective manner without proper flow of information. Telecommunication services thus form a fundamental requirement to the functioning and success of modern business and society, ensuring effective flow of information through the design of efficient communications infrastructure. Our design and consultancy services are vendor independent and are based on internationally recognised codes and standards. Our approach is focused mainly on the next generation communications network, associated technologies and principles such as convergence and open access to provide value engineering to clients.
We have a comprehensive knowledge of the rapidly changing telecommunication technologies, which is essential to ensuring maximum benefit is achieved in operational and financial terms. Atkins has also undertaken numerous due diligence reviews for public and private organisations to ascertain the suitability of their LAN/WAN infrastructure for IP convergence and to understand their business processes to ensure that the IP communication systems installed provide true business value. We work closely with
telecommunications and IT engineers, helping them to develop and operate efficient networks.
We provide a full
telecommunications engineering service to support major development schemes and the rollout of national and international telecommunications networks.
Government of Singapore – Next Generation Broadband Network
We are currently working with the Government of Singapore in the design, procurement and implementation of a Next Generation Broadband Network for their iN2015 programme, (ref: http://www.ida.gov.sg/About%20us/20070903145526. aspx), the aim of which is to provide every premise in the island with 1Gbps connectivity via fibre (FTTH).
Atkins was involved in the preparation of output specifications and Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation and in the leadership of, and participation in, competitive dialogue (CD) sessions with the tenderers including major worldwide players such as BT Global, Alcatel, SingTel and Hong Kong Broadband.
Technopolis and E-Village – Telecommunications masterplan
Atkins delivered the telecoms masterplan for two new regional developments in Syria.
The first being a high tech city, ‘Technopolis’ for heavy and light industry, 70km2. The second, an ‘E-Village’ for education and service organisations.
Technology for both projects included Multiservice Access Nodes, providing all envisaged services from POTS, leased lines through to MPLS services for communities of up to 80,000 end users.
Pyramid Smart Village – Telecommunications masterplan
Atkins was responsible for the telecommunications design elements of this new 133 hectare high technology park near Cairo comprising 52 private and public buildings.
This includes all of the security systems for the buildings and site. The main telecommunications installation will be carried out under a Build, Own and Operate contract and Atkins was responsible for the preparation of the concept, design and management documentation to allow this contract, the first of its kind in Egypt, to be tendered. Our work included high level consultation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Services provided by Atkins included:
• Security
• ICT (voice and data) • AV entertainment services The design process for these services commenced with the development of a user requirement specification. The central hotel facilities incorporate systems for voice, high-speed data, closed circuit television and the monitoring of security doors. These facilities are generally standard items but for this project special facilities and fittings were designed to be in keeping with the exceptional luxury of the hotel. Within each suite a fully integrated package of guest services is provided, which includes telephones, fax, door control, an audio system and a multi-functioned video system. A key feature of the guest suite systems is the full integration of the different services at the guest interface. Video services include real-time video on demand, digital versatile disk, video cassette player, terrestrial and satellite broadcast television, interactive services with access to the hotel web site for both information and the ordering of services and a picture-in-picture facility for the entry door camera.
All services are delivered to either the wide screen plasma display screen in each living room or the high quality television set in each bedroom. These specialist electronic systems were delivered in 1999 and were leading edge at the time.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
Atkins was the sole professional consultant for the full design and construction management of the iconic, 202-all suite, super luxury hotel. In keeping with the hotel ethos the electronic systems, especially those in the guest suites, were required to provide a level of service surpassing all existing standards.
Services to telecoms regulators
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Atkins provides strategic planning, procurement
and implementation advice.
Atkins has a history of providing both strategic planning, procurement and implementation advice to both public and private organisations alike.
In terms of regulatory advice to governments, Atkins has already provided advice on both strategy and technology choice and roll-out to:
• Scottish Government in their 2nd Generation Broadband programme taking national coverage to over 99% • OFCOM in the UK on spectrum management in
preparation for the mobile wireless spectrum auctions • Welsh Assembly for a cost/benefit analysis for the
deployment of fibre-based Open-Access networks across Wales taking into account State-Aid rules
• Singapore IDA for their iN2015 Next Generation Broadband network deployment across Singapore based on an Open-Access approach to deploying FTTH technology Based on this experience Atkins is confident of providing a range of advisory services to various telecom regulatory authorities across the region.
Mobile networks
Atkins offers a full range of wireless technology related services. Our consultants are able to provide services that include:
• Design of new wireless and mobile network architecture
• Design delivery and support for VAS/OSS/BSS and messaging platforms
• Create migrations and network integration plans
• Oversee end-to-end solution delivery, integration and testing
• Carry out provisioning tests and acceptance test plans on live networks
• Detailed design of secure end-to-end GPRS/3G bearer solutions
• Provisioning of GSM, GPRS and 3G services
• Advice on spectrum management in preparation for mobile/wireless spectrum auctions
• Advice on regulatory compliance
• Integration and development of existing systems
• Auditing and optimisation of network design
• Advice on the latest innovations in mobile technologies
• Network management and security The demand for new data services,
combined with the growth of mobile networks, require mobile operators to begin planning the evolution of their backhaul infrastructure to support new network requirements.
Additionally, the public’s increasing reliance on mobile networks creates the need to improve network reliability and availability, while economic realities drive the need for lower-cost network solutions. These often-conflicting demands make it necessary for the operator to rethink the backhaul architecture and begin its implementation as scaleable, reliable, and cost-effective multi-protocol network.
Atkins has experience over many projects involving:
• New mobile network rollouts
• Mobile backhaul
• VAS/OSS/BSS
• Fixed-Mobile convergence
• Mobile TV
• Unified charging and billing
• Integrated provisioning Atkins has developed a unique approach to the selection of potential sites for mobile telecoms transmitter sites. Innovative thinking and the application of leading edge radio planning techniques allows many competing criteria to be balanced to deliver the required network coverage at optimal cost.
Convergence technologies
As more technologies converge towards IP network based communications, Atkins has developed a high level of expertise in the provision of consultancy and design of complex fully interoperated and converged systems adding value to all of our projects.
Advances in networking technologies, coupled with an increase in awareness from vendors, led over recent years to a shift towards technologies that share common communication and infrastructural backbones.
This shift has brought with it a convergence of disparate technologies. It is common now for data, video and voice communications to occur over the same network.
Many building management systems now also offer convergent options and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can now be interoperated into conventional data networks saving on the need for separate, expensive cabling infrastructures.
Unlike many vendors offering convergence design services, Atkins doesn’t sell product. Consequently we design to clients’ needs, not to fit a limited product base and we are totally vendor independent.
We monitor all developments in technology and apply them free of vendor constraints.
Atkins offers a full range of convergent technology related services, including:
• Advice on the horizontal or vertical integration of electronic security, telephony, audio visual, building maintenance control, fire control and environmental control systems
• Conceptual design of converged systems including performance specifications
• Detailed design of complex converged systems
• Independent advice and design of remote access based systems monitoring
• Advice on the implementation of full quality of service across converged networks
• Capacity planning for converged networks
• Auditing and optimisation of network design
• Integration and development of existing systems
• Full auditing of existing convergence systems
• Conceptual advice to master planners and architects on adding value through the use of convergence technology
• Advice on the newest innovations and developments in converged technologies
• Smart building design consultancy
• Information security
• Design of area, town or city-wide smart technology/ communications systems
Supreme Education Council Headquarters, Qatar
Atkins was commissioned to develop the already agreed upon concept design for the new Supreme Education Council headquarters. The concept design identified the three Institutes that form the council (education, evaluation and higher education) were to be located separately, and both be supported by two additional buildings; a shared services facility and the Secretary General’s Offices.
Atkins scope of services included fully converged network design, acoustics, architecture, interior, landscape and full engineering design. As part of this commission the ICT scope was from concept through to construction documentation. The brief was for a fully planned and integrated IT network design that would cater for the many different users of the development.
This project is to provide a new campus and headquarters for the Supreme Education Council in Doha, Qatar.
The ICT design team have applied a converged approach to the delivery of data, voice and video over a single converged IP network. The network carries data from the following:
• IT systems
• Voice systems
• Video systems
• Security systems
• Building management systems
• Heating, ventilation and AC systems
• Traffic control systems
• Wireless LAN
• Safety systems
The converged approach allows for smart integrated building design allowing for interoperation between all systems.
Data centres
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Atkins places clients at the centre of developing
design solutions.
IT operations are a crucial aspect of most organisational operations. Data centre facilities, telecommunication rooms, server rooms and operation centres house a number of critical applications, such as telecommunications, storage, IT and security systems. Network downtime is measured in lost profits and as a threat to critical services.
Green design
Data centres are extremely energy intensive. We specialise in energy efficient design and data centre consolidation underpinned by the principles of carbon reduction and energy conservation. In conjunction with our structural, mechanical and ELV teams we can deliver a truly energy efficient design. This is not only better for the environment but results in significant operation cost savings.
Confidentiality
Atkins is frequently in receipt of data that is sensitive, commercially confidential or secret. We have in place a series of procedures relating to the handling of confidential data and ensuring its integrity.
We will at all times respect the confidentiality of information provided by our clients.
Information will only be handled by those members of Atkins who are directly working on a client’s behalf and we of course are happy to enter into non-disclosure agreements with our clients.
Services to help you
Atkins can offer your organisation a full range of data centre design related services. Our consultants are able to provide services that include:
• Advice on tiered data centre approach and standards
• Strategic and technical studies
• Assistance with the design and implementation of standards driven specifications for data centres
• Proven in and out of region experience of all tiers of data centre design
• Feasibility studies and system appraisals
• Strategic advice, risk assessment and resilience planning
• System and facilities design
• Technology and product advice
• Technical and maintenance specifications
• Tender production and appraisals
• Contract documentation
• Operational and strategic procedures advice
• Maintenance management
• Planning supervision
• INFOSEC consultancy
Data centre requirements
Across many industries and for service providers - data centre design needs to be compliant to local legal requirements and regulatory authority standards as well as international and industry best practices. This design needs to incorporate certain crucial aspects:
• Adequate power and air conditioning
• Data and power cable routing
• Redundancy/resilience in design (no single point of failure) for communications, electrical systems and conditioning
• Backup systems for power (UPS and/or generators) and air-conditioning
• Fire protection and prevention
• Physical security
• Technology and systems planning
• Operations and maintenance planning
• Information security The design should result in not only an always available, redundant and fault-tolerant environment, it must also be a flexible, scalable, manageable and maintainable data centre.
The National Tier 4 Data Centre in Education City, Qatar is the first Tier 4 data centre outside the US and Canada as well as being the first co-located Tier 4 data centre anywhere in the world. The new data centre will become the largest centralised repository for the storage, management, and dissemination of data and information in Qatar. The project draws upon the expertise of a wide range of disciplines from the Middle East and the UK including complete architectural and engineering design alongside specialist consultancy services such as transport infrastructure, landscape, security, fire and life safety, IT/data, FF&E and interiors.
Atkins carried out a full analysis of the power system under all operational and fault conditions. The analysis was undertaken using ERA ERAC’s analysis software tools, including load flow, short circuit studies to IEC 909, transient conditions, harmonic analysis and protection system discrimination. The output of the studies was used in the validation of the data centre and for commissioning of protection devices.
Atkins also utilised ERA ERAC’s power system analysis tools for HV and MV system studies and design validation, additionally AMTECH Power software is utilised for LV and MV design.
National Tier 4 Data Centre, Doha, Qatar
Information technology
Atkins provides a broad range consultancy and management support services for complete IT system delivery including:
• ELV
• Convergent technology/ICT consultancy
• Optimisation of network design
• Telecoms infrastructure and regulatory advice
• Mobile networks • Audio visual
• Data centres, control room and emergency planning centre
• Electronic security systems and surveillance systems design
• Healthcare IT
• Smart schools / education institutes IT convergence • INFOSEC
• Intelligent traffic management
ICT – Infrastructure
As part of their long term strategic plan, the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) decided the township of Ahmadi would be transformed into an environment that reflects the modern oil industry image, whilst retaining its historical and cultural heritage and contribution to the Kuwait oil industry. Atkins designed the next generation communications infrastructure for the new 10,000 homes in the township of Ahmadi in Kuwait. The all-fibre network provides the residents with “quadruple play” of fixed and mobile high speed Internet, voice and extensive video entertainment choice, plus an intranet for community use and Wi-Fi coverage for outdoor areas. The network also supports the extensive security requirements including CCTV cameras suitable for desert conditions, access control and vehicle number plate recognition systems.
Also, in the Middle East, we are currently involved in the design of an ICT infrastructure for a sustainable city development which is set to be the world’s first carbon neutral city.
All of these projects are focused on Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) requirements together with strong emphasis on an open-access philosophy.
Information security - INFOSEC
The requirement to communicate information securely is
increasingly important to the success of business activities. New techniques and systems are continually being introduced to combat ever evolving threats to information security.
IT systems may be organised on a national or international scale, linked by wide area public or private networks. In many instances it is necessary to interface these local networks securely with the larger national and international networks.
Security and INFOSEC capability
Atkins has diversified from its roots as a civil and structural engineering practice to become active in virtually every field of technology-based consultancy. In particular, we now offer a comprehensive range of Information Security (INFOSEC) services to the public sector and a wide range of commercial and industry markets.
We provide system audits and consultancy services from strategic studies, feasibility analysis and design of new IT security systems, through procurement to the implementation and commissioning of the user’s requirements.
Relationships with clients
We work together with clients to identify and solve their particular issues, establishling close working relationships through our local offices.
We operate within the cultural, legal and commercial norms of our client’s own countries. Studies reveal that more than half
of all company networks have no security in place when they interact with other networks. Any type of information that is handled today must be done so in a secure manner, ensuring data integrity and to comply with local cultural, security and legal requirements.
We help our clients to realise their objectives by developing and delivering practical solutions, adding value to their businesses through the application of our experience, innovative thinking and state-of-the-art technology.
Health informatics
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Our expertise extends to providing IT solutions
for healthcare facilities.
As more technologies converge towards IP network based communications, Atkins has developed a high level of expertise in the provision of consultancy and design of complex fully interoperated and converged healthcare IT systems - health informatics.
Health informatics has become integral to the medical profession comprising multiple domains which encompass electronic health records, health information technology and health information exchange. Healthcare IT can be leveraged to:
• Reduce healthcare costs
• Increase administrative efficiencies
• Decrease paperwork
• Prevent medical errors
• Expand access to affordable care
• Improve healthcare quality
Designing healthcare information systems
The design of ICT in healthcare must involve:
• Integrated, reliable, secure and highly available IT services and communications networks
• Selection of appropriate medical technology
• Architecture for electronic health records and other health information systems used for billing, scheduling and research
• Clinical decision support systems
• Standards (e.g. DICOM) to facilitate the exchange of information between healthcare information systems
• Controlled medical vocabularies such as the ‘Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine, Clinical Terms’ (SNOMED CT) - used to allow a standard, accurate exchange of data content between systems and providers
• Use of hand-held/mobile devices to assist providers with data entry/retrieval or medical decision-making
Physical security
Security and access control systems can be inter-operated into a common communications infrastructure.
Security control rooms can be linked direct to electronic surveillance devices over IP based networks and can be fully interoperated with access control and safety systems.
Design experience
Our engineers have overseen the design, building, commissioning and integration of IT
infrastructure for a variety of healthcare facilities around the world.
Atkins are regularly
commissioned as consultants to the National Health Service (NHS), in the UK.
We can offer your organisation a full range of healthcare IT related services.
Shepton Mallet Hospital/Treatment Centre, UK
We were contracted by UKSH to design and supply IT and telephone systems to one of their new independent sector treatment centres. The centre is a privately owned and operated hospital located in Shepton Mallet.
The Atkins-designed IT systems provide the clinicians and administrators with access to a range of IS applications via an offsite Citrix-based service.
The installation included all the IP-based networks, firewalls, edge devices including all desk top user IT facilities and a full telephone network.
The systems supplied also support PACS for electronic versions of x-rays and other images and provide a connection via NHSnet to national healthcare applications being rolled out under the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT).
Audio visual systems
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Our designs dramatically improve the effectiveness
of systems installed.
The need for Audio Visual (AV) systems throughout modern offices, hotels and homes is well proven. AV systems facilitate high-tech presentations, training and conferences. They provide an effective means of disseminating information throughout a building or development. A professionally designed system dramatically improves the effectiveness of the systems installed.
We provide technical consultancy, design and project management services. Our skills include:
• Advanced integrated Audio Visual systems
• Digital Signage systems
• Public Address (PA)
• Background Music (BGM) systems
• Discussion and interpretation systems
• Video and audio conferencing systems
• Television distribution systems
Our AV services include:
• Feasibility studies, assessment and analysis • Recommendations and equipment guidance • System(s) design and drawings
• Human interface design for control systems • Coordination with IT and electrical departments • Technical and maintenance specifications • Technology and product advice
• Operational and strategic procedures advice • Planning supervision
• Tender package preparation • Tender evaluation and reports • Submittal review
Confidential project, Dubai, UAE
Atkins provided full AV consultancy services for this prestigous project which has a presentation suite / theatre, conference rooms and meeting rooms as well as a staff training facility.
All the common areas are covered by the PA / BGM system. There is an area called the 'mood area' where partition glasses are projected with upcoming project details combined with special lighting for creating different moods.
The presentation suite is equipped with a state-of-the-art rear projection system and 5.1 surround audio system capable of presenting different format presentations with light levels programmed to the specific requirement.
The PA / BGM system covers all the common areas in the different zones according to space usage, this allows for different BGM to be played in different locations, with the option to be overridden by PA announcements.
Confidential project, Dubai, UAE
This prestigious project had many integrated AV systems in auditoriums, theatres, conference rooms, board rooms and meeting rooms.
The AV systems used in this project included digital PA / BGM system, digital signage, outdoor LED wall, videoconferencing and discussion and interpretation system.
The PA / BGM system is entirely digital audio and the zones can be divided by the software to the client’s requirements and to match the fire alarm zoning.
The Digital Signage system covers all lobbies, reception, lift cars, recreation centres providing facilities for meeting room management, RSS feeds, way finding, news, weather updates or any other digital video format displays through the Local Area Network (LAN). There are also three large outdoor LED walls on the podium which are able to display advertisements, signage contents and other digital video formats.
Confidential project, Dubai, UAE
Atkins concept design for this project included many integrated AV systems: multipurpose hall, cinema, ballrooms, conference rooms, training rooms and meeting rooms. The AV systems designed for this project included PA / BGM system, digital signage, video conferencing and discussion system etc.
The Public Address (PA) / Background Music (BGM) system covers all the common areas and restaurants on all floors with separate zones. The PA system over-rides the BGM while announcements are made. Paging can be done to a single zone, multiple zones or to all zones according to the message types. The PA system also functions as a secondary alarm for the fire alarm system.
The multipurpose hall and the conference rooms will have the facility for videoconferencing along with the projection system and sound reinforcement system. They all have the touch panel control system to control the input equipments along with lighting, volume, drapes etc. The training rooms have the interactive whiteboard as projection screen.
WS Atkins & Partners Overseas
PO Box 5620
Dubai, UAE
Tel: + 971 4 405 9300
Fax: + 971 4 405 9301
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.atkins-me.com
© Atkins Ltd except where stated otherwise. The Atkins logo and the strapline“Plan Design Enable” are trademarks of Atkins Ltd. RR/CP/DH/10/07/2009
