Unique Services Available

As a result of the unique structure of our CMI, we have developed a subset of advanced and comprehensive services.  These include:

Pre-Pay Programs:  While our CMI can interface with most Pre-Payment Programs, we have approached Pre-Pay with a unique methodology as a result of our experience and accumulated knowledge of various pre-pay concepts and billing system experience.  The result is a combination of the best features of several approaches culminating in an internet based distributed intelligence residing in the CMI and in the meter / AMI collector network.

 

ECN’s Pre-Pay system complies is a part of the PayGoUtilities™ network and its subsidiary PayGoElectric™ which encompasses over 110,000 payment locations nationwide.  PayGoUtilities™ offers branded Pre-pay VISA and Mastercard, Pre-Pay cards, Stored Valued cards, gift cards and direct payment options.

Remote Self-Service Reconnect:  CMI integration with multiple systems has produced a web-based customer self-service reconnection program whereby the customer may pay his bill over the internet or with a cell phone and ultimately reconnect his electrical service (meter) without having to talk to a customer service representative.

No-Cost Remote Disconnect / Reconnect:  As a function of its service model, ECN can offer a “pay-as-you-go” meter Disconnect and Reconnect program which allows a comprehensive CMI to the utility’s CIS, MDM, GIS, IVR, AMI, Customer Access, and Outage Management at no upfront or monthly service cost.  The service is provided at 10% - 20% of the savings to the utility.  Therefore there is no out-of-pocket costs to the utility with a guaranteed savings of at least 80% of the existing associated costs.

Interactive PDF Bills:  ECN can offer an Interactive PDF Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP).  This is much more sophisticated than typical EBPP because it embeds interactive buttons, movies, linking, prompting, database integration, targeted messaging, advertising, and retail promotions...all within a standard PDF bill.

Internet Pre-Pay Metering for most AMI Systems: There are a number of Pre-Pay approaches in the marketplace from rechargeable memory cards to CIS based debit systems.  Most of these are inefficient or proprietary.  ECN has combined the “Best-of-Breed” to create a generic, functional and manageable approach to this ever increasing popular payment method.  Advanced functionality with over twenty (20) functions is available.

Internet Remote Load Control:  Interruptible Power customers, Load Control are noting new and remote control systems are nothing new.  However, the ability to interface to these systems via the internet with an upfront cost of less than $1000 per location with a cost as low as $15 per month with start / stop and 5-minute real-time readings is an innovative service.

Utility Based Home Automation:  Smart homes are here!  Utilities, multifamily and single-family home owners are approaching this technology as a way to not only provide new services to its customers but also as a method to lower energy costs.  Savings can range from $115 to over $500 per household per year while at  the same time lowering the utility demand charges substantially.

Remote Energy Management Solutions:  Multi-Family properties can save up to $150 per year per apartment by utilizing ECN’s web-based technologies to remotely turn water heaters off, cycle appliances such as refrigerators on and off, and automatically raising and lowering thermostats automatically for vacant units.

Additional advanced functionality is also available.  Furthermore, we are very willing to incorporate innovative customer ideas at no development costs.

 


New Products and Services                                    

ECN’s Pre-Pay Module  is a custom designed chipset specifically to handle the complex rates and billing structure associated with Pre-Pay metering.  AMI systems are designed to collect meter data and are not suited for the constant data transfer associated with Pre-Pay account status, analysis, evaluation, and calculations.

The Pre-Pay Module  can be incorporated into an existing “Smart” meter with a disconnect (and with the cooperation of the meter company) or it can be utilized as a part of ECN’s “Collar Meter”.  The Collar also consists of a complete ANSI 12.19, 21, 22 revenue grade meter, a 200-amp disconnect switch, a cellular data modem (or AMI communications card, an internal antenna, a programmable digital display, a Zigbee radio for communications with an optional thermostat and in-home display, and the Pre-Pay Module .  See the spec sheet for more details.

 

Benefits:   Pre-Pay metering and services is not a new concept however previous methodologies are antiquated.  ECN combined its billing software development experience with its knowledge of the AMI industry and designed the complete end-to-end Pre-Pay solution.  The result is a self contained Pre-Pay product that provides the utility with the following list of extended benefits provided within the service delivery package.

*    Remote control of electric meters without the need of proprietary infrastructures.

*     Download extensive rate structures on a customer basis including TOU, variable rates, fixed and “FIFO”.

*     Totally “stand alone” Plug-n-Play with real-time reads and remote capability, including standard 15-minute data acquisition and reporting.

*     Completely internet-based with no software or office computer hardware systems required.

*     Weather emergency by-pass included.

*     National access to payment locations for “recharging” of power at current rates.

*     ANSI Standards Submeter for accurate usage and cost management.

*     Industry standard connection for quick installation.

*     Payment processing provided through 110,000 payment outlets.

*     Automatic customer notification of accounts status and anticipated termination dates via in-home display, text messaging, email, auto phone call, fax and IVR.

*     Reduce customer consumption by average of 15%.

*     Eliminate truck-rolls for disconnect/reconnect.

*     Eliminate up to 70% of Customer calls with self-service via internet, IVR, cell phone.

*     No IT systems, software or licenses to purchase.  Network charges are included.

*     No capital outlay programs available (meter rental)

Two-way communications for remote access for reading capability, connect/disconnect, DSM options and other features are provided as a part of the complete standard delivery package.

 

Features:   Unlike other Pre-Pay devices on the market, ECN’s Pre-Pay Module  in conjunction with PayGoUtilities™  provides extensive functionality not found anywhere else in the industry.  Although ECN can provide Pre-Pay through four (4) different approaches as described later, the true benefit of Pre-Pay is accomplished through the Pre-Pay Module  which is a chipset installed in the meter or collar.  The result is a stand-alone “cash register” located at the customer’s premise with extensive computing capability.  The following are some of the features of the system:

Features...

*      CIS Stand Alone System

*      Plug-n-Play (install the meter and the system is up and running)

*      Customer Account Access – Real-Time

*      Customer Service Fees – deducted daily

*      First In & First Out – supply billing schedule

*      Guarantee Agency Capabilities (Texas)

*      Governmental Assistance Programs capability

*      Meets PUCT Rule 25.498 for Pre-Pay metering

*      Automatic customer notifications initiated by the meter

*      Support for optional in-home display

*      Paperless billing

*      Payment plan capability

*      Payment processing network support nationwide

*      Daily supply cost adjustment

*      Time-Of-Use (TOU) Billing Schedules

*      15-second disconnect/reconnect (exceeds time requirements of all states)

*      Weather Emergency capabilities including automatic “Override”

 

Metering Capabilities (includes Pre-Pay Module )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Pre-Pay:   Pre-Pay has become a very hot topic in the last year because of the rising cost of energy and the large increase in the number of delinquent accounts.  Numerous articles can be found regarding the severity of the situation.  (See “More Utility Bills Go Unpaid”, Wall Street Journal, November 3, 2008).

There are many reasons to offer a Pre-Pay solution for the utility and for its customers (and not just for the credit challenged):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these factors can be summarized in providing a better service to the customer while reducing the operating cost to the utility yet at the same time eliminating bad debt and improving cash flow.

 

Four Types of Pre-Pay Solutions:   Utilities have tried a variety of methods of Pre-Pay metering solutions, all of which can be place into one of four categories:

(1) Estimation:    This involves the assumption that a customer will use a fixed number of kWh per day and that amount is deducted from the customer’s account on a monthly or daily basis.  This approach causes customer concern when the monthly account settlement occurs.

(2) Stand Alone Meter:     The old methodology of providing a Pre-Pay solution was a meter with a plug-in card that the customer would remove, take to a kiosk or other location and “recharge” the card with additional funds, a real inconvenience for the customer.

(3) Back Office with AMI:   Many utilities are of the belief that an AMI system will automatically position the utility to offer a Pre-Pay solution.  The fallacy of this approach is the frequent “polling” of the meter to provide the customer with an accurate account balance and status.  Furthermore the cost associated modifying the back office Billing, CRM, and IT systems can be significant not to mention possibly a year or more for integration.

 (4) Blended:      ECN’s approach to let system do what they do best.  If a meter is truly “Smart” then let the “Smarts” reside in the meter which is the task of the Pre-Pay Module .  This allows the AMI and back office systems to function as they were designed without “bogging-down” the AMI backhaul network, while providing maximum flexibility.

 

Payment Processing:   The utility must provide the customer a variety of methods to make payments in a convenient and efficient manner.  EnergyComNetwork has established PayGoUtilities™ and PayGoElectric™ in order to facilitate a wide variety of network payment options.  The customer has a choice of paying by one of the following methods:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hosted service:   The most efficient and cost effective manner in which to implement a Pre-Pay solution is through a “hosted” environment.  Pre-Pay is a very specific and unique product that approximately 10% - 15% of the customer base will utilize.  Consequently it is impractical to install new hardware, software, and other systems, pay annual license fees and upgrades, hire additional staff, etc. to support such a small customer base.

Therefore EnergyComNetwork offers the Pre-Pay solution as a service including the following:

*      Meter Data Management (MDM)

*      Customer Enrollment

*      Customer on-line access

*      Payment Processing

*      15-minute meter reads

*      Rate mangement

*      Customized reporting

*      Customized IVR

*      Customer notifications

*      Much more...

This approach is also the quickest to implement.  The first customer can be on line and making payments in as little as two weeks.  There are no additional hidden costs.  The service is priced as a fixed price per customer per month, very much in line with standard utility monthly charges.