The software has been produced by independent software developers using a specification produced by the Department. The software has been tested by the Department to ensure all products produce identical results. Following testing the developers received a license to distribute the version of the software to run on the tested platform. The Department's acceptance testing is restricted to evaluating whether the software produces the correct grouping result. No other criteria are used in licensing the software.
More information is on the testing page.
All licensed products will produce correct results but may differ in other considerations such as the design of the user interface, input file format, minimum computer hardware requirements and batch processing time. It should be noted that batch processing time may vary depending on the interface written to the grouper and the type of processing performed. Grouper software able to be ported for use on other computer platforms. See software developer. See software developer.