Powering Australia’s largest telecommunications transformation
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Benchmark Estimating helped nbn achieve a 50% productivity uplift by streamlining estimating across thousands of projects. Integrated with core systems, the solution enabled consistent, scalable cost control during the rollout of Australia’s national broadband network.
About nbn™
nbn is responsible for building and maintaining the national broadband network — one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Australia. The organisation works with a wide range of delivery partners across the country to design, construct and manage the rollout of broadband services, supporting connectivity for millions of Australians.
With thousands of employees and hundreds of active project regions, nbn required an enterprise-grade estimating solution that could deliver accuracy, flexibility and consistency at scale.
The Challenge
At the scale nbn was operating, manual estimating processes and inconsistent tools weren’t sustainable. They needed a solution that would:
- Support multiple delivery partners and project types
- Integrate with Oracle and other enterprise systems
- Centralise cost estimating and streamline reporting
- Deliver measurable productivity gains and cost savings
The nbn estimating team required a solution that could not only replace disparate estimating methods, but also enhance business planning, forecasting, and commercial management.
The Decision
Following a comprehensive review process, nbn selected Benchmark Estimating as their solution of choice. Key factors included:
- Flexible rate structures across partners
- Parametric estimating capabilities using routines and templates
- Compatibility with Oracle databases
- Strong customer support and collaboration during implementation
- Proven ability to scale across large teams and geographies
"Benchmark Estimating did the work of 100 estimators over a two-year period...a productivity increase of 50% and massive cost saving." - Krystof Tyl, former Manager, Estimating & Modelling, Engineering, FTTx, nbn™, Australia
The Outcome
With Benchmark Estimating, nbn achieved:
- 50% increase in productivity across the estimating function
- Reduced reliance on manual effort, enabling faster turnaround times
- Centralised estimating across 20,000+ projects in ~200 regions
- Integration with core systems including asset and finance platforms
- Custom fields and Single Sign-On for enhanced usability and security
Benchmark Estimating supported the team through configuration, rollout, and custom enhancements — helping nbn drive consistency, efficiency and cost control across the network rollout.
“Benchmark was integrated into our processes for rates and quantities, working alongside our asset data and financial systems,”
— Kevin Mercer, former National Manager Cost Control, Industry Management, nbn™, Australia
