Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has ditched Excel spreadsheets and implemented software across all of its departments to manage 70 supplier contracts annually worth around $50 million.

The contract management solution provides one central repository for all contract related information which is in line with government regulations, according to Craig Swift McNair, the council's corporate support manager.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is located on the mid north coast of NSW, 420 kilometres north of Sydney. The current estimated population of the local government area is 70,581.

Swift McNair said the contract was awarded to Open Windows in late 2007.

As well as using the software as a central repository and management system for all contracts and contract documentation, he said the council has additional plans for the software.

"It is being used to establish insurance, driver license and property leasing registers within the system to maintain a comprehensive directory of contract information and to ensure that no renewals or deliverables are overlooked," he said.

Open Windows systems include eTendering, tender management, contract repository and full contract life-cycle automation with workflow and contract document management.

Founded in 1994, Open Windows is used by over 150 companies and governments, including ING, Bluescope Steel, and Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania state governments.

The systems has an estimated 5000 users per day, and manage in excess of $30 billion dollars in agreements.