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-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 with the Texas Pre-Pay Rules and also provides over 8,000 payment outlets in Texas and 30,000 nationwide.  ECN offers branded Pre-pay VISA and Mastercard, Pre-Pay/Stored Valued 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 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.