HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 E-Bill Solution Agenda Item #
NM
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Mary Chapman, Administrative Services Manager
Date: September 24, 2004
SUBJECT: Consideration of authorizing the implementation of an E-Bill solution
1. WHY THIS ITEM IS BEFORE THE BOARD
As part of the effort to improve the service we provide to our customers, in the 2004 budget I included
some funds to implement an a-bill solution in the amount of$17,550.
2. HISTORY
With the e-bill solution, customers will have 24/7 access to their accounts. If they choose, they will be
electronically notified that their bill is ready for viewing and payment. They can see a copy of their current
charges and view their billing and usage history. Their usage history can be viewed in the form of a bar
chart. While customers can pay their bill by credit card or electronic check, I am only proposing that we
allow payment by electronic checks for now.
3. NEW INFORMATION
We have now converted our billing and accounting to NISC's new IVUE software product. While we are
still working out some conversion and programming problems, I would like to prepare us to begin offering
the e-bill solution. It will take about a month to implement and test. We should have the system up and
running by the end of October.
Within a couple of months of implementation, we will upgrade the system to NISC's new Customer Self
Serve product which allows for all of the current e-bill features and more. Customers will be able to
schedule service requests on-line including scheduling connects and disconnects, change their billing
information (addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses) and communicate electronically with the
customer services staff. If we choose, the Customer Self Serve will also let the customer view outage
information affecting them provided the Outage Management System being used interfaces to the e-bill
system. This will be very useful for our second homeowners who may want to make sure the power is on
before they come to Truckee.
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The costs of the system are as follows:
E-Bill One-Time Fee f
Base Fee $ 9,000.00
Per Customer Fee 12,000 customers $.50 per customer 6 000.00
Total $15,000.00
On-Going Monthly Support $ 200.00
Base Fee
Per Customer Fee 12,000 customers "$.005 60.00
Total Monthly Fee $ 260.00
The cost of allowing customers to pay their bill with an electronic check:
Paymerica No Charge
Alliance Payment Technologies, Inc—Gateway Fee per month $10.000
Per transaction fee
Per batch fee (1-2 charges per day) .30
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board authorize the staff to proceed with implementing the e-bill solution as follows:
1) Authorize staff to purchase the e-bill software solution from NISC which includes software and
software installation and on-going support in the amount of$15,000 plus approximately$260 per
month for support.
2) Authorize the general manager to enter into agreements with Paymerica and Alliance Technologies,
Inc.which will allow customers to make a-check payments for their utility bills through the Internet.
Product a Services Sales Department
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Voice 16001 345-2237 Fa 16361 447-3957
Web Based Software Solutions
E-Bill Presentation & Payment Solution
The Internet bill presentation and payment solution interacts via a direct connection with your NISC
Consumer Information System allowing a live presentation of billing information. Unlike other E-bill
solutions that copy data for presentation showing only a "snap-shot'view of payment information as
current as the last update, NISC's E-Bill solution allows posting of payments and payment adjustments
that can be viewed on the Internet in real-time. This feature sets the stage for future data integration and
improved flexibility in e-bill enhancements such as service requests, bank draft signup, and data field
changes.
E-commerce solutions such as NISC's e-bill presentation increases your visibility allowing your
consumers to access information 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. This 24x7 availability for consumers
help decrease customer service calls related to usage, payment inquiries, and even credit card payments
over the phone. NISC customizes the e-bill web site with your logo and links back to your main web site
or individual pages to create a seamless look and feel offering consumers access to new and efficient
ways of communicating with you while learning more of the services offered.
An interactive demo of NISC's &commerce solution is available on our web site at www.nisc.cc
E-Bill Features
Consumer E-mail Notification Consumers have the option to receive an e-mail notification as soon as a
new bill is generated. The e-mail includes a link for easy navigation porting them directly to their billing
information. The consumer can use the e-bill to review their information or to pay their bill.
Consumer History Consumers are able to view current and historical billing information, payment
history, and usage history.
Payment Processing A major credit card, debit card or an electronic check transaction can be used for
payment.
E-Bill Requirements
To implement an e-bill solution, you must have a dedicate.4 Internet connection along with NISC's VPN
solution. (See requirements for the VPN/Router solution for more information.)
A/""\ Product a Services Sales Department
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Voice (600J 345-2237 Fax 16361 447-3957
E-Bill Pricing
The e-bill pricing is determined by the number of active consumers you have. This pricing does not
include the E-Bill server. The cost for a Dell E-Bill server averages around $3500 and is billed separately
if purchased through NISC. Please call for current E-Bill server pricing and minimum requirements.
Note: The pricing below includes additional web based enhancements to be released in the near
future.
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• Debits and Credits - .30 cents per item
— Includes all fees
• Monthly Minimum -- none
• Monthly Service Fee - $ 10.00
• optional Turd Copy of Statement
— Fee — $9.95 for hard copy from Alliance.
— E-mail copy of statement is at no charge.
• Billing for e-check provided by Alliance
Payment Technologies.
— Month end billing for all fees
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National lntOrmation
the utility industry*