Customer Management System
There are tons of systems out there trying to improve business processes of utility companies in general or electric companies in specific.
The key is still doing the re-engineering process well and the application system will just a tool to follow the processes. I put some of my thoughts about Electric Management System in this blog. Feel free to read and comment.
In most countries, the tariff of electricity keeps on increasing. One of the reasons is because the raw material to make to energy arises for the past years. Limitation of energy pushes government to regulate tariff with higher prices with the objective that customer will use electricity wisely. In this post and the following posts, I would try to discuss the method you can follow to case energy and in the end, it will save of money for electricity costs.
It doesn't matter if you've never experienced energy efficient homes up close and personal, This guide will tell you everything you need to know, without spending too much brainpower!
Here's Just "Sneak-Peak" At What You'll Uncover With How To Make Your House Energy And Cost Efficient
* Discover how to determine your current costs.
* Learn the cost of savings analysis.
* Find out exactly how to get started on your biggest needs.
* Discover how exactly to save big money with windows.
* Learn how to start small for huge savings.
* Discover the fireplace advantage.
* Find out all the energy saving tips to develop.
* Discover how to properly use your thermostat for your energy saving needs.
* Learn exactly what energy star is and how to use it to your advantage.
* Discover how to make the outside of your house energy efficient easily.
* Learn all about alternative sources of fuel.
* Discover how build your new home to meet your energy saving needs!
* Learn all the little things you can do to save huge on your bottom line.
* Plus much MUCH More!
Just follow the post and navigation to go to previous or next section of this discussions at the end of each section.
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Online payment for billing system in general or utility billing system in specific requires a defined business process to ensure all financial statements are correct and good data integrity.
Online payment could be handled in several ways, namely:
- Online payment through website. This requires coordination for any payment gateways or banks to receive payments using credit card and/or bank transfer.
- Online payment through ATM. A collaboration with banks is needed.
- Online payment through cell phone. A collaboration with mobile service providers are needed.
- Etc.
One of the benefits of online payments methods above is that customers can pay at their convenience and they can do it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, All payments mentioned above should be treated “offline” by billing system. What does it mean? Why Online payment should be treated “offline”? What I mean is that outside or third party should NOT be allowed to access and updated the billing system online/directly. This is important to ensure billing system data integrity and security.
All online payments should be stored in a file or separated database for further processing during batch process. Thus, these payments are treated “offline” similar like payments in the offices that do not access/LAN to billing system.
Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc. announced that Southern Company has selected its Spectrum Power™ 3 energy management system to monitor, control, and optimize the reliability of its transmission system consisting of over 27,000 miles of transmission lines, 3,400 substations, and more than 300,000 acres of right of way.
Quote from RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Southern Company’s new energy management system (EMS) will replace systems at Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Mississippi Power, and Gulf Power, and a centralized Power Coordination Center, all with emergency back up sites.
Siemens’ solution provides a set of products and services that are field proven thus reducing risk while aiding the delivery of an extremely successful project. Elements of the Siemens solution include the best training in the industry; unrivaled commitment to project management with PM@Siemens; a realistic project schedule; and teaming arrangements that foster communication, partnership, and knowledge transfer.
"The solution we are delivering to Southern Company not only provides the benefits of the latest future proof technology in the industry but also facilitates Southern Company’s ability to manage the life cycle cost of their system. Our delivery model includes long term services and upgrades after the system is commissioned, which ensures the system is maintained in a continuously current state well into the future,” stated Kevin Sullivan, vice president and general manager of Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution’s Energy Management & Automation division.
An energy management system is a complex system of computer-aided tools used by operators to monitor, control, and optimize the reliability of the transmission system. It gathers real-time data from substations, plants and neighboring utilities and delivers the data to operators, advanced power systems applications, and other supporting applications. The operators and associated applications then use the data to perform transmission system operations, modeling, analysis and other critical functions.
“Siemens’ system met our needs including the crucial security requirements necessary on a transmission system of our size and significance,” said Billy Ball, transmission planning and operations senior vice president. “Siemens’ solution provides Southern Company the ability to improve the services we provide to our customers and allows for future growth, at the same time maintaining the reliability of the electrical grid.”
“The Spectrum Power system is designed with the large utility in mind, and Siemens is leading the industry in architecture and product direction and with future enhancements that will reflect the needs of large utilities,” added Don Roberts, EMS director.
The new Spectrum Power EMS by Siemens will help Southern Company meet future growth in its 120,000-square-mile service territory and better manage its transmission system, which meets North American Electric Reliability Council standards and provides a safe and reliable grid.
About Southern Company
With 4.3 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America’s fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for seven consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.
About Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution (USA)
Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, creates innovative product, system and service solutions for its customers – electric utilities, transmission organizations, Independent System Operators, and large energy consumers. It is a leading supplier of high and medium voltage power delivery equipment, energy management systems, network planning and power system engineering software for regulated and deregulated generation, transmission, and distribution markets. The company’s products and systems are used to increase power system capacity and improve the reliability, stability and flexibility of power delivery and network control systems. It has operations in Wendell, NC; Jackson, MS; Minneapolis, MN; San Jose, CA; Schenectady, NY; Jackson, TN; Heber Springs, AR; and Atlanta, GA. For more information visit us at: www.usa.siemens.com/energy.
Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $107.4 billion in fiscal 2006. Founded 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $21.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 480,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.
