Expert will create a system to automate the administration of bus contracts, including performance monitoring and payments. Gary Ebeyan, Expert CEO said the system will provide "a very strong audit trail" that begins as the data is captured.
The system will streamline the management of over 2000 contracts with private operators, and the payments module will interface with the Oracle Financials system already used by DOI. It will also manage operational details such as vehicle and route information.
According to a DOI spokesperson, Expert was selected as its bid represented the best overall solution offered to the department. "It is possibly the most important J2EE contract currently within the State Government of Victoria and has the potential of becoming a reference landmark for all future J2EE projects," said Ebeyan. DOI specified the use of J2EE in the project as part of the department's published technology architecture platform.
Work on the project began last December, and the system will go live in early 2004 to coincide with contract changes and the school holidays. Staffing will peak at around 40 people, all located in Melbourne.
