'$60m' Contact Energy deal goes to Wipro

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Contact Energy has selected Indian IT firm Wipro to overhaul its software systems in a deal thought to be worth $60 million.

The power retailer is investigating outsourcing about 65 jobs to Wipro as part of the deal.

Contact Energy spokesman Jonathan Hill says the project will involve implementing SAP systems throughout the company, and its retail billing system will be significantly improved.

Contact is consulting back-office staff, including those who carry out retail transaction processing, about outsourcing their roles to Wipro and a decision will be made later this month.

Call-centre staff are not affected.

Computer Society chief executive Paul Matthews says it is disappointing the project has been outsourced to a supplier outside New Zealand.

Contact said in July last year that IBM would replace its billing, finance and operational systems but made an about-turn in February, saying no contract had been finalised and it would go back to market.

Contact's board is believed to have allowed up to $80m for the project.