IBM to install SAP software for Calif. agency

IBM Corp. will supply a comprehensive computer system and software designed to increase efficiency to the California Corrections and Rehabilitation Department under a new $34.2 million contract.

The software, known as mySAP, will give the department the ability to track in one central location every detail of every financial transaction in a far flung network of more than 60,000 employees spread between 41 adult prisons and juvenile institutions and hundreds of parole field offices.

IBM will provide staff support for three years to help the department fully implement the system, which was initiated on July 1 and will be fully operational in July 2008.

The mySAP software is designed to improve efficiency and reduce spending for everything from bulk purchases of supplies to overtime for staff. For example, the computerized system will provide immediate information on spending compared to an authorized budget, eliminating a 45-day lag in reporting.

It will track many other typical financial transactions such as coordinating and consolidating purchases to take advantage of volume savings and coordinating contracting to avoid unnecessary duplication.

IBM of Armonk, N.Y., ranks No. 18 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.