Billing utilities can come with its fair share of challenges, but
that doesn't mean that billing utilities in a
straightforward, stress-free manner isn't possible. In truth,
there are some easy ways for organizations that bill utilities to improve
their performance and ensure that those they serve are being billed accurately
and fairly. With the right utility billing software and some knowledge of best practices, it’s
possible for organizations to make the process of handling utility billing a
breeze. USTI offers a wide
range of software-as-a-service solutions and desktop solutions that can
help make billing utilities an easy task.
Collect Good Data
For organizations that bill utilities, one of the most important best practices out there is to always collect accurate consumption data. When it comes to billing utilities of any type (water, electric or gas), it is essential to have accurate readings from all of your metered services. Municipalities need to be able to collect data from multiple meters and to do so quickly. Gathering the readings electronically is the most accurate and economic way to gather the readings. Thus eliminating the room for human error on gathering the readings and human error on entering the readings into the billing software. Not all utility software on the market has the ability to integrate with radio read equipment, satellite or handheld units, so it’s an important consideration to make when reviewing solutions. The more data that your software is able to collect electronically, the smoother the billing process will be for your organization.
Provide Access to Account History
If you’re responsible for billing utilities, another best practice is to make sure that you have complete open access to account history for all of your customers. When audits arise or customers have questions or complaints, it will be necessary for you to look at account history and be able to provide as much detail information as possible. Unlimited history is the best, you don’t want to have to tell the customer you can only provide 12 months of billing, consumption, adjustments and payment history. You also want to be able to quickly and easily reprint a bill or print history for any date range. When you have the use of reliable utility billing software, accessing account history will be a simple, swift process. Your customers will feel confident in your ability to bill and collect for the services.
Know Your Customers
Although using software for utility billing can streamline the process, it doesn't mean that the human element will be taken out of the work that you do. In the end, you’ll still be serving customers, and it’s a best practice to know as much about your customers as you possibly can. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to help them. With the software-as-a-service option or desktop solution offered by USTI , you’ll be able to easily collect and store information about the customers that you serve. You can even attach electronic documents to the database such as emails, letters or pictures that pertain to the customer. When you have to deal with those customers, you’ll be able to look at all of their information including service orders and provide them with the best possible service. To learn more about your options for utility billing software, get in touch with USTI today!
For organizations that bill utilities, one of the most important best practices out there is to always collect accurate consumption data. When it comes to billing utilities of any type (water, electric or gas), it is essential to have accurate readings from all of your metered services. Municipalities need to be able to collect data from multiple meters and to do so quickly. Gathering the readings electronically is the most accurate and economic way to gather the readings. Thus eliminating the room for human error on gathering the readings and human error on entering the readings into the billing software. Not all utility software on the market has the ability to integrate with radio read equipment, satellite or handheld units, so it’s an important consideration to make when reviewing solutions. The more data that your software is able to collect electronically, the smoother the billing process will be for your organization.
Provide Access to Account History
If you’re responsible for billing utilities, another best practice is to make sure that you have complete open access to account history for all of your customers. When audits arise or customers have questions or complaints, it will be necessary for you to look at account history and be able to provide as much detail information as possible. Unlimited history is the best, you don’t want to have to tell the customer you can only provide 12 months of billing, consumption, adjustments and payment history. You also want to be able to quickly and easily reprint a bill or print history for any date range. When you have the use of reliable utility billing software, accessing account history will be a simple, swift process. Your customers will feel confident in your ability to bill and collect for the services.
Know Your Customers
Although using software for utility billing can streamline the process, it doesn't mean that the human element will be taken out of the work that you do. In the end, you’ll still be serving customers, and it’s a best practice to know as much about your customers as you possibly can. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to help them. With the software-as-a-service option or desktop solution offered by USTI , you’ll be able to easily collect and store information about the customers that you serve. You can even attach electronic documents to the database such as emails, letters or pictures that pertain to the customer. When you have to deal with those customers, you’ll be able to look at all of their information including service orders and provide them with the best possible service. To learn more about your options for utility billing software, get in touch with USTI today!
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