StoreSentry™…A New Remote Monitoring and Data Management Service for Retail Food Stores

BRIDGETON, MO - (May 5, 2002) - IR Retail Solutions, a unit of Ingersoll-Rand, offers comprehensive monitoring and data management systems to help supermarkets and convenience stores collect important data to run their operations. The new service, called StoreSentry™ offers a suite of remote monitoring and servicing solutions designed to save energy, optimize equipment, reduce operating costs and increase revenues.

StoreSentry™ monitors equipment throughout the food store, collecting operational information on refrigeration systems, display cases, HVAC systems, lighting, energy management systems and other equipment. The data is then transmitted to the IR Retail Solutions monitoring center, where it is warehoused and managed for the customer from the remote location, while giving the customer electronic access from their own facility.

Trained professionals are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to analyze situations and recommend corrective action. From the remote location, they monitor equipment operations and conditions, make necessary adjustments, conduct system diagnosis and alarm code interrogation.

"When a piece of equipment isn't operating properly, or is malfunctioning, it can be costly to a store," said David Nurse, Vice President - IR Retail Solutions Contact Center Operations. "With StoreSentry™ there's an immediate response to any alarm condition. There's less food loss and equipment downtime is minimized, which potentially translates into more sales for our customers."

StoreSentry™, a key element in IR Retail Solutions integrated offerings,works closely in conjunction with IR Retail Solutions Contact Center and comprehensive service network to handle customer needs. Alarm conditions are electronically registered and transmitted to the IR Retail Solutions monitoring center. The IR Retail Solutions monitoring center receives the alarm and conducts remote diagnostics. The Contact Center notifies the store and, via wireless communication, dispatches a technician from the nearest local office to correct the problem. Service technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

StoreSentry™ monitoring helps to maintain the efficient operation of equipment which improves food quality, protects against food loss, ensures compliance with FDA food codes and lowers energy costs. In addition, by providing immediate response to urgent situations and preventive maintenance scheduling, StoreSentry™ increases the up-time of critical assets, driving productivity and maximizing merchandising opportunity.

The StoreSentry™ data management program can create additional value through the capture and analysis of individual and multiple store operational data, creating reports that help improve profitability. Reports can be customized for specific customer needs.

"A customer might want to use the data management reports to compare energy use by specific equipment, look at energy cost variations over time, analyze factors to improve their operations or prioritize their resources. They also might want to compare multiple stores to determine why one's operating costs are higher and then take corrective action
to improve profits," said Mr. Nurse. "The information provided in the StoreSentry™ reports can be invaluable."

IR is a leading innovation and solutions provider for the major global markets of Security and Safety, Climate Control, Industrial Productivity and Infrastructure. The company's diverse product portfolio encompasses such leading industrial and commercial brands such as Schlage locks and security solutions; Thermo King transport temperature control equipment; Hussmann commercial and retail refrigeration equipment; Bobcat compact equipment; Club Car golf cars and utility vehicles; Torrington bearings and components; PowerWorks microturbines; and Ingersoll-Rand industrial and construction equipment. In addition, IR offers products and services under many more premium brands for customers in industrial and commercial markets. Further information on IR can be found on the company's Web site at www.irco.com.