November 2001

Sydney Turf Club Posts Win with Empower

• Sydney Turf Club outclasses rivals with HR Solution

• Efficiency provides 15 per cent savings

• Empower deal seals success trifecta

Australian racing icon Sydney Turf Club has beaten a national field in the competitive thoroughbred horse racing industry by selecting the latest Human Resource solution that will provide staff with Internet access to their personnel and payroll records.

On the eve of the Melbourne Cup, the 58-year old- club, which runs the AAMI Golden Slipper, the world's richest two-year-old race, has pipped rivals at the post by selecting the leading Empower-HR solution to manage it's 900-strong employee base.

The solution, developed by Adelaide-based software developer Empower International, will provide Sydney Turf Club with cost savings of as much as 15 per cent and improved productivity through more efficient staff utilisation. Empower-HR will also reduce duplication and provide advanced reporting capabilities.

Sydney Turf Club, which manages renowned racetracks including Rosehill Gardens and Canterbury Park, also intends to deploy the Employee Self-Service facility in Empower-HR, enabling staff to view their personal and payroll details online.

Colin Lloyd, Sydney Turf Club General Manager Employee Relations, said the flexibility of Empower-HR could also support the club's non-racing activities. "We selected Empower because it did everything we required," he said.

"It was price competitive and its flexibility meant we knew it would work with any event management system we might choose in the near future. Ultimately this ahs flow on benefits for racing in NSW because all money generated, or saved in this case, is re-invested in the industry."

Non-racing event and functions account for approximately 25 per cent of revenue but is likely to increase following the construction of an exhibition hall at Rosehill.

The Sydney Turf Club deal completes a trifecta of success for Empower following deals with Anglicare Tasmania and its outsourcing arrangement with the Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

Empower International Chief Executive Officer Dean Littlefield said Sydney Turf Club's selection of Empower-HR demonstrated the business value of the solution.

"People are your most important resource, so managing them better will always deliver the most value,: he said.

Founded in 1984, Empower enjoys domestic and international success, with clients including Townsville City Council, Kone Elevators, the Tasmanian Government, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts in Asia and the 45,000-strong Rover Group in the UK.