The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has become the first Federal Government agency to choose TechnologyOne’s world-leading SaaS+ solution under the Digital Transformation Agency’s ERP panel.

The DTA panel was created after the Federal Government replaced the GovERP policy, which was built on enterprise systems from German software provider SAP, to create more opportunities for Australian software providers offering more cost-effective alternatives.

The Minister for Finance announced the decision to discontinue the GovERP project, saying at the time it had cost $400 million and was never going to be delivered as intended.

The AER, the regulatory authority for Australia's electricity and gas markets, used the new panel to select an ERP system ahead of its intended legal separation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

TechnologyOne’s OneGovernment SaaS+ solution was selected from the panel’s comprehensive list of local and overseas vendors.

TechnologyOne’s SaaS+ offering is a unique model that sets new standards in delivering on-time, on-budget implementation for ERP systems. It ensures that AER will have access to its specialised OneGovernment product suite via a single, intuitive enterprise platform from its first day of autonomous operations.

SaaS+ means TechnologyOne takes responsibility for the complete solution, including implementation, operation, future releases and support all for a single annual fee.

It has already been proven with TechnologyOne delivering ERP solutions to agencies in the Queensland and NSW governments in months rather than the years typically quoted by overseas vendors.

TechnologyOne CEO, Ed Chung, said: “As the first Federal agency to select our unique Solution as a Service offering – SaaS Plus – the AER can focus on delivering best-in-class services, while we take care of their end-to-end solution experience."

"This deal is an important indicator that the new panel approach is a step forward in levelling the playing field for Australian tech businesses.

“Australian tech has shown it can compete and win in every market in the world, we are thrilled the government is creating opportunities to encourage public servants to consider home-grown success stories like TechnologyOne when they are buying.”

This milestone deal between an Australian Government agency and the Brisbane-based provider follows a recent report by independent economic analysts, Insight Economics, which underlined the international trend for governments to buy locally-made technology as a tool for driving economic and community outcomes.

TechnologyOne’s locally developed solutions are trusted by more than 230 Federal and State Government departments and agencies across Australia and New Zealand.