Local Tech Wire 

North Carolina Picks SAP, BearingPoint for $28-million human resources, payroll upgrade

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The State of North Carolina has signed a $28 million two-year contract with BearingPoint and SAP to upgrade its human resources and payroll system.

SAP is one of the world's largest software developers.

BearingPoint is one of the world's biggest management and technology consulting firms. It has offices in Raleigh and Charlotte.

BearingPoint will be responsible for implementation and management of the project.

Called "Project Beacon", the program will replace a 30-year-old system. Among upgrades, the SAP-based project will provide employees with online access, permit changing of personal information, and dispense with most paper forms. It will utilize mySAP ERP (enterprise resource planning).

The first phase of the implementation is scheduled to be completed in early 2008. Beacon stands for "Building enterprise access for NC's core operating needs". The state employs more than 80,000 people. "Beacon will strongly benefit our employees and citizens through more efficient business operations," said State Controller Robert Powell in a statement.

BearingPoint: www.bearingpoint.com

SAP: www.sap.com