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Sanderson
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October 2, 1998 - Sanderson Computers, a leader in applications software covering all Sanderson Computers, a leader in applications software covering all

This is a significant development for retail utility companies, particularly in the electricity market, as the industry continues down the path of deregulation. It is now imperative that information systems handle additional consumers without a reduction in overall performance. The Gentrack test was carried out on-site at United Electricity in Dunedin using live working data. Processing was performed in real time during standard office hours. Conditions were simulated to reflect a "live environment" designed to be representative of a normal daily billing run for a company with over one million consumers and sixty users accessing the system concurrently.

The results show that Gentrack achieved its 1.1 million consumers daily billing run within ample time and initial indications confirm the system appears over four times faster per response than that reported from other billing systems. This translates into a significantly reduced time for the total transaction run. The process was fully audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers and is currently being validated.

Kevin Winders, Chief Financial Officer at United Electricity says, "with United's proposed expansion plan, we needed confirmation that our systems could handle the projected volumes. We're going places and we need companies like Sanderson to work with us in support of our IT strategy."

Sanderson's Sales and Marketing Director Andrew Wereszczynski comments, "the initial test was set for only one million consumers, and given the processing time taken, one can assume our system will cater for companies with more than three million consumers". Sanderson confirms another exercise is already underway in Wellington to determine Gentrack's full capability. Their objective is to secure audited results to assure potential clients throughout Australia, Asia and the USA that Gentrack is a fully tested solution for major utility companies. "We believe some clients in the past may not have taken Gentrack seriously because of its low implementation cost. Where companies like SAP may charge around $ 20 million, we come in at less than $ 2 million, and accordingly, our future clients are asking for audited confirmation that Gentrack can do the job" says Wereszczynski.

Sanderson already successfully sells Gentrack in England and Europe and shortly plans to make major representations into Asia and the USA. Sanderson Computers Ltd is a New Zealand company and a member of the UK-based Sanderson Group Plc, an international provider of IT services and software to more than 4,000 customers worldwide.

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