ERP and Billing System Upgrade Regulatory Proposal

This document is a regulatory proposal concerning the upgrade of ERP and billing systems for electricity distribution networks operated by CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy. It outlines the necessity for generational upgrades due to the impending discontinuation of support for the current SAP version by the end of 2030. The document details the current configurations of the ERP and billing systems, the identified need for upgrades, and presents four options for consideration: no upgrade, base upgrade, technical convergence upgrade, and full convergence upgrade. Each option is analyzed for its capital and operational expenditure, as well as its net present value. The recommended option is the technical convergence upgrade, which aims to balance risk mitigation, cost efficiency, and long-term scalability. The proposal emphasizes the importance of maintaining system stability, compliance, and fit-for-purpose solutions to meet future industry demands.