CIS Modernization and the Need for an Integrated Customer Care & Billing System: Part II
Package applications unleash a flexible and scalable platform where a utility can build and meet its requirements of the modern and changing era. These packages were created and are being continuously upgraded with the industry specific requirements in mind. For Utility Customer Care and Billing requirements, these packages in addition to focusing on the core utility retail functionality are also future ready to take on initiatives like AMI/Smart Metering.
With package applications, the focus is more on the business process and less on technology. These are technologically sound and can take the stress of huge data volume and complex, parallel processes. Hence, it relieves the utility and the system integrator from the nuances of getting the technology and platform right and rather focus on correct process mapping and achieve desired business outcomes.
Package functionality is both scalable and flexible. New features can be quickly added without compromising on performance of existing functionality. Increase in data volume or process complexity can be easily accommodated. A rate change, for example, does not require modifying thousands of lines of code and can be accomplished in a simplistic non-invasive manner. All this translates to massive savings in costs and time.
Package vendors consistently deliver industry and regulatory specific as well as technical enhancements to keep the package updated and relevant to the changing operational and customer environment at utilities. This frees up the utility from application centric issues and it can continue to focus on its core business operations and initiatives.
So what are the functionalities these packages have to offer to utilities? The complete meter to cash cycle is available; ready to be configured, customized and adopted. The standard processes can be quickly understood, minimally customized and becomes ready for adoption. Functionality spans from meter and meter data management to billing and from customer service and financials to even industry data exchange.
Essentially package applications have made technology easier to consume. These have been better than custom built from scratch application. But even package applications have their limitations. The rate of change of requirements and new initiatives is so high and radical that package vendors are unable to keep pace. This results in heavy customization of the standard package during implementation to accommodate new requirements leading to a longer realization phase. Read fellow Infoscion Sathya's blog on how to minimize your customization & accelerate your realization here.
Package functionality is both scalable and flexible. New features can be quickly added without compromising on performance of existing functionality. Increase in data volume or process complexity can be easily accommodated. A rate change, for example, does not require modifying thousands of lines of code and can be accomplished in a simplistic non-invasive manner. All this translates to massive savings in costs and time.
Package vendors consistently deliver industry and regulatory specific as well as technical enhancements to keep the package updated and relevant to the changing operational and customer environment at utilities. This frees up the utility from application centric issues and it can continue to focus on its core business operations and initiatives.
So what are the functionalities these packages have to offer to utilities? The complete meter to cash cycle is available; ready to be configured, customized and adopted. The standard processes can be quickly understood, minimally customized and becomes ready for adoption. Functionality spans from meter and meter data management to billing and from customer service and financials to even industry data exchange.
Essentially package applications have made technology easier to consume. These have been better than custom built from scratch application. But even package applications have their limitations. The rate of change of requirements and new initiatives is so high and radical that package vendors are unable to keep pace. This results in heavy customization of the standard package during implementation to accommodate new requirements leading to a longer realization phase. Read fellow Infoscion Sathya's blog on how to minimize your customization & accelerate your realization here.
