Country Energy Converts 250,000 Southern New South Wales Customers to Peace Software's Energy CIS

Business Wire, Sept 3, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech & Energy Writers

SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2002

Country Energy has converted an additional 250,000 southern New South Wales electric and gas customers on to Peace Software's Energy(TM) CIS (Customer Information System). Energy now supports billing, customer care and Internet self-service for nearly 400,000 customers in Country Energy's central and southern regions.

Country Energy was formed in July 2001 by the merger of three regional New South Wales power companies, each of which had their own information systems. Consolidating these systems has been a key Country Energy objective.

Craig Murray, Country Energy Managing Director, said, "This latest milestone is part of our strategic plan to provide a consistent high level of service throughout the Eastern Seaboard of Australia. We are realizing that vision with Peace Software as our technology partner. At the same time we have been able to save substantially on implementation costs relative to our competitors."

Brian Peace, Peace Software CEO, said, "We are proud to have contributed to Country Energy's latest success. Peace Software has supported energy companies in the restructuring Australian retail energy market since 1995. Our successful partnership with Country Energy demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Australia and to being the leading CIS provider in the region."

Country Energy's next focus is to convert the remaining northern region customers on to Energy, which will bring customer numbers up to 750,000.

About Peace Software

Peace Software is exclusively dedicated to developing open, component-based CIS solutions used by utilities and retailers for business innovation in regulated, transitioning and competitive global energy markets. The company's browser-based Energy suite has been selected to drive efficient operations and provide excellent customer care for 13 million mass market and commercial and industrial (C&I) customer relationships in 40 markets around the world. The innovative Energy suite can be phased into existing CIS environments and new version upgrades are available every 12-18 months. Founded in 1984, Peace Software has offices in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. For more information, visit http://www.peace.com.

About Country Energy

Country Energy is a regionally based energy retailer and distributor supplying power to the Australian states of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Formed in July 2001 from the merger of Advance Energy, Great Southern Energy and NorthPower, Country Energy operates a vast franchise across 72% of New South Wales in addition to successfully competing in the national retail electricity market. Country Energy's core businesses include energy retailing, network operations and infrastructure construction and maintenance. Visit us at http://www.countryenergy.com.au