Optimation purchases Kinetiq

Press Release
Wellington, 16 September 2005

Optimation strengthens Utilities position with Kinetiq purchase

Optimation has further strengthened its position in the utilities market with the purchase of Kinetiq’s New Zealand licence and associated software support business.

Kinetiq software bills electricity and gas to power companies’ larger commercial and industrial customers. This is usually complex billing involving “Time of Use” bills, where customers are billed according to their usage every half hour.

Kinetiq currently serves several major New Zealand customers including Contact Energy, WEL Networks and Bay of Plenty Electricity. It was recently acquired from former owner Spectrum Resources by a US-based private investor, which now wishes to concentrate on its services business in markets outside New Zealand.

First level support, Equip migration strategy

“Optimation will assume first level support for existing Kinetiq customers in New Zealand and we have backed this up with an on-going agreement with Kinetiq internationally to provide next level support,” says Optimation Utilities Group director Alistair Owens.

“We will be discussing longer term directions with each customer on a case-by-case basis. Over time, Optimation will offer these customers a path to move to our J2EE-based complex billing platform Equip, which is designed to meet the billing needs of high value customers.”

Optimation has a Centre of Excellence in Telco and Utility billing technologies and has its own complex billing product, Equip, which is used by utility companies such as Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy.

The Kinetiq agreement is the latest in a series of wins for Optimation, driving strong growth in the company’s consulting, systems integration and support businesses. Optimation now supports over 50 applications through its ITIL-based Service Desk, with customers including some of the country’s largest banks and telecommunications operators.

About Optimation

Optimation (www.optimation.co.nz) helps businesses harness technology to produce superior business results. We deliver consulting, development, implementation and support services across the core areas of Software Engineering, Security, Infrastructure, Billing & Customer Care and Business Capability Improvement.

Optimation was founded in New Zealand in 1992 and now has around 150 staff in Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne. Customers include leading corporates and government departments such as Vodafone, IRD, Westpac, the Ministry of Social Development, New Balance, Promina, TelstraClear, Australia Post and Genesis Energy.

ENDS

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