The federal government will test off-the-shelf software from the German software giant in an as-yet undetermined department, Sarah McMaster, director of communications for Digital Government Minister Joyce Murray, told The Logic.  (The Logic)

Talking point: The government has budgeted $117 million for pilot projects to find a replacement for Phoenix, which has caused widespread issues with civil servants getting paid since its launch in 2016. In June 2019, SAP was named one of three finalists for the new HR and pay system. The other two are Workday, and Minneapolis-based, Toronto-run Ceridian, which set up a new public-sector vertical last year to chase larger government contracts. While those firms still qualify for future work from Ottawa, Friday’s announcement could put SAP in pole position; McMaster said the pilot’s results “will help inform and define the way forward” for Phoenix’s replacement. “We are committed to expanding our presence in Canada,” Workday country manager Jennifer Buckley said. “We have a growing public sector vertical and our work with the Government of Canada, unions and employees continues,” said Teri Murphy, director of corporate communications.