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RDM Group Drives to Success With Technology Award

COVENTRY, England, April 28 -- Dave Keene, managing director of RDM Group collected the inaugural prize for Business Technology at the Birmingham Post Business Awards this week in recognition of the amazing success of the company's Auto-txt System.

The RDM Group, based in Coventry, is a specialist supplier of electronic equipment to the car industry and Auto-txt their secure vehicle tracking solution is a leading edge electronic product that is making a major impact in vehicle security. The system which is concealed in the car authenticates the driver using Bluetooth, GSM and GPS technologies. Using patented technology developed by RDM, Auto-txt facilitates driver recognition and tracking. If a vehicle is stolen, it can be remotely disabled from the Auto-txt control centre. Future applications will include navigation systems, remote diagnostics and pay-as-you-drive insurance, all linked to the mobile phone.

"The Awards now in their 20th year are one of the Midlands most prestigious recognitions of business achievement," said Dave Keene.

"The Business Technology Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of everyone in the company and the achievement of developing a product that leading car manufacturers have recognized as the best in its field," he added

Phil Lines finance director of Aston Science Park, said:"RDM were worthy winners of the Technology Award. At the start of the millennium they identified a tremendous opportunity in the market and have invested heavily in developing and commercializing a market leading vehicle protection and tracking system."

Auto-txt complies with the latest insurance industry standard, having been awarded Category 5 accreditation by Thatcham. Jim Hammond, of the Association of Chief Police Officers says: "Being able to remotely prevent a vehicle from being started using a Category 5 approved device will help us enormously in the fight against stolen vehicle crime and may lead to a reduction in the need for police pursuits. This is one of the most important components of the new Category 5 standard systems as far as we are concerned."

Recent research suggests that currently over 50% of stolen cars are not being recovered . And the difficulty thieves have in accessing vehicles without the keys means that key-targeted theft is on the increase, putting people at risk, as well as their cars. Category 5 compliant products led by Auto-txt are addressing this worrying trend.

Demonstrating the product's technical leadership, Auto-txt has been selected by Jaguar Cars and Land Rover to supply car tracking and security systems for all their vehicles from 2006. The systems, called Jaguar Watch and Land Rover Watch, will be available in the UK and across Europe. It is the first time the prestige car manufacturers will be offering a stolen vehicle tracking system in their own name.

The product has also been has been given official police endorsement with an accolade and official logo called Secured By Design.

Secured by Design is the UK Police flagship initiative which supports the principles of 'designing out crime' by using effective crime prevention and security standards. Auto-txt has undergone strict testing by insurance industry research body Thatcham and is now qualified as having "police preferred specification" and is fully accredited by Secured By Design.

RDM Group Ltd recently raised funds of GBP4.75 million to further develop and roll out the system.

Please see www.auto-txt.com for more details

Notes to Editors

The Auto-txt product is from GBP499.99 for the standard tracking system (SO) and from GBP599.99 if the system incorporates the remote disabling feature (RO) and both prices include the cost of installation. To buy an Auto-txt system (Version 8) or for further advice call 0870 190 0002, alternatively visit the website www.auto-txt.com. The Association of Chief Police Officers for England Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) and the Association of Chief Police Officers for Scotland (ACPOS) represent the police forces of the United Kingdom and both organisations endorse and support the Secured by Design programme. ACPO Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited was established in 1999 to manage Secured by Design and similar crime prevention initiatives at a national level. It is entirely owned by ACPO with chief police officers on the Board of Directors. The company is funded through partnership with companies whose products meet technical standards identified by ACPO CPI. In return, the licensed company is able to utilise the Secured by Design logo and, on those products which meet the technical standard, the title "Police Preferred Specification" in accordance with the terms of their licence agreement. www.securedbydesign.com

For further information, please contact Selwyn Rowley at LMMC on +44(0)1926-611700 or mail to selwyn@lmmc.co.uk