ATO refreshes ABN system

The Australian Taxation Office is looking for a partner to re-platform its Australian Business Registration system which is reaching the end of its Microsoft support.

The database records information on companies that need an Australian Business Number (ABN). It also interacts with systems from other agencies.

The tax office realised in 2007 that the system would reach the end of its Microsoft support in July this year. It decided that a technology refresh was necessary because keeping the current system would increase troubleshooting requirements and would result in security problems going unpatched. The tax office has now released a tender to look for a vendor which can revamp the system by 2011.

"The current implementation is an inhibitor to doing business now and into the future as there are significant complexities in delivering enhancements and maintaining the current implementation," the tender documents said.

The system will be implemented in two releases. The first will be built up to April 2010 for implementation in August 2010. The second will be built from April to August 2010 for implementation in March 2011.

The vendor has to supply resources for the design, build, test, implementation and warranty which lasts for 90 days after the taxation office is happy with the implementation.

The tender closes on 19 November.