Friday, August 28, 2015

What To Know About Water Utility Billing Software

By Nancy Gardner


This system is being used today for billing purposes in several towns and also all sizes of companies. The system uses programs such as M uni billing which is uses the technology of cloud computing and is utilized every day by companies, cities, towns and private firms across united state and some parts of Canada. After many years of application by the municipalities, system analysts are now conversant with the challenges of developing and using such technologies. So companies which have ventured into developing such systems should aim at developing systems which are and convenient to use. So water utility billing software link water meters with service providers central computer.

Program development life cycle starts from problem identification, whereby programmers identify the challenges in the organization and how it can be solved through use of programs. The next is system analysis which involves thorough investigation of the existing programs outlining their weakness and how to improve them in the new program.

After that, a programmer comes up with a system design which is an over view picture of the program, this is how the program will look like and how data will be flowing from the meters on the ground to central computers in the main office or substation.

Utility waters are supposed to study customers reports to evaluate their consumption pattern so as to advice the management on the ways to use to conserve water and how to reduce cost associated with water provision to customers. Today billing programs many reports and other functions that are not limited to only sending notices of payment to consumer.

All these stages should be arrived at after through consultation with user of the system being developed. Program analysis is the next stage whereby the programmer evaluates the existing software to check out for any loop holes it might have had to correct them in the new program so as to meet organization need.

The fifth stage is program review and testing which include testing part of the program developed to check whether it is giving the required result. Also involves comparing efficient of the new program to that of old program to make decisions whether to enroll the system or just continue with existing one. Program, implementation follows and here the new software developed is put into action or implemented.

The software has to undergo a series of testing to ensure it will leave up to its expectation and that it will not fail. System implementation follows closely. The program is then put into operation. The last stage and which should come much later after the software is running is maintaining of the software.

The program makes billing so easy and enjoyable as uploading files, clicking several buttons and printing of bills do not use devices for meter reading. This billing software assists so much in terms of water conservation. It reduces water wastage and monitors the consumption patterns of different users. The information collected from these programs is on second to second basis so the user gets up to date information about their water bill.

Since there is a customer portal provided by the system, customer self service is possible through internet, kiosks, telephone and also use of wireless devices which enhance customer satisfaction. Software allows the use of dashboards which provide detailed information enhancing productivity. It also allows amalgamation with other external solutions. These external solutions can be accounting, municipal services, work management, check scanning and website. The technology should be flexible to enable for adjustment or addition of extra features in future.




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