Most need to pay multiple utility bills every month and desire streamlined, inexpensive payment methods. Providers can leverage programs to automate meter readings and data collection, making it easier for customers to access data and pay on time. These customer information systems (CISs) manage account operations and payment processing, acting as a bridge between households and corporations. So, what is a CIS in utilities, and what is utility billing software for companies seeking more efficient transactions?
What Is Utility Billing Software and Its Purpose?
Utility billing software digitizes manual billing processes. It may combine with a customer management system to house customer data. Brands have been using them for years, but they have transformed significantly to include more features and quality-of-life updates for businesses and payers.
An enterprise could offer recycling services or electricity, yet both need to find accurate, transparent ways to collect dues from clients. Traditional billing may have required representatives to visit households to read meters or organizations to spend time sending letters in the mail. Now, software automates these monthly obligations to offer more flexibility for customers.
It also alleviates burdens on the utility provider. Teams can devote more resources to high-value tasks such as boosting infrastructure cybersecurity or overcoming intermittency concerns. These programs are a growing staple of the most resilient and productive providers.
What Are the Benefits of Utility Billing Software?
Utility billing software benefits all parties, centralizing all critical information so households always have service.
Better Efficiency
Manual billing processes are time-consuming and sometimes inaccurate due to human error. Utility entities have become leaner by automating invoice generation and embedding payment processing. Fewer household services shut off because of a delayed mailpiece or labor shortages since utility billing software can run at all times.
Refined Accuracy
Data entry is no longer subject to a mistype — sensor-based and other technologies can easily collect meter readings, feeding them into billing systems. Customers can trust the information, keeping tabs on it as it comes in throughout the month. Their consumption awareness increases for all utilities, whether water or power. This way, fewer disputes come in because of misunderstood charges.
User-Friendly Communications
Many of these programs offer two-way communication between the provider and bill payer. These portals are intentionally simple to navigate so everyone is on the same page about due dates and current usage. People are less likely to be shocked about surprise charges because the convenience of online platforms makes it effortless to stay informed.
Utility bills are getting more expensive, as residents in the U.S. spent 3% more per month in 2024 compared to 2023. Having financial and data awareness from the provider has never been more important.
Detailed Analytics
Brands and customers have equal visibility over long- and short-term trends, allowing them to identify potential problems early or unintended spikes in consumption. These insights enable customers to make more informed purchasing decisions, especially when choosing between payment plans.
Scalability and Flexibility
Adding clients to a program is more straightforward than sending technicians to homes for in-person readings or allocating resources to fulfilling letters. Some utility billing software services allow pay-as-you-grow models, flat subscription rates or per-meter-per-month payments. This versatility gives providers mobility in how they want to grow their companies and how their expenses will be affected.
What Are the Top 5 Utility Billing Software Providers?
What is a CIS in utilities used by the top-rated entities in the business?
1. Muni-Link
Muni-Link is an organization that embraces innovation while serving utility brands for over 40 years. Its billing software is the first of its kind — it is cloud-based and specialized to service municipal billing, eliminating cumbersome manual processes.
Its world-class data center ensures digital infrastructure is safe, with backup systems and continuous upgrades to ensure it stays reinforced. Some features include but are not limited to:
- Issuing bills
- Creating receipt of payments
- Assigning penalties
- Sending automated notifications and reminders
It also has a comprehensive customer information system solution for water and sewer utilities. Businesses can use these to organize accounts and categorize information. If problems arise, customers can speak with Muni-Link’s dedicated customer service team, which provides a kickoff session to learn about them.
2. Kraken
Kraken is a unique option for navigating the ever-growing renewable and clean energy world. It helps utility providers transform into a more digital-forward organization, consolidating tech stacks to make sure its utility billing software works with everything else. It also supports startups, delivering billing programs to these categories:
- Distribution
- Customer utilities
- Water
- Broadband
Its software promises reduced costs in a centralized place so enterprises can build relationships with their constituents. The renewable field is constantly changing, so these software-based resources must be an integral yet adaptable part of this global change. Kraken’s products are connected to over 60 million accounts and 300,000 devices, cutting backlogs of emails and claims so companies can profit more.
3. Tridens Monetization
Tridens works in power and other utilities to make it simple for customers to converge billing and sending invoices. It works with compliance in mind, automatically considering tariff models and more complexities for businesses of any size. The software also supports green initiatives, with features like smart grid and electricity resource management services as part of its billing setup.
Customers will love the self-service portal for managing their accounts without needing to wade through lengthy customer service lines. Recently, the city of Edmond, Oklahoma, instituted a utility billing software, and residents are keen to see hourly data on electricity and water. This interest shows how much citizens love access to their household data and how much it impacts their finances.
Tridens will also send personalized offers so clients can receive as many deals as they want for utilities they are already using. For example, the software can forward information about installing electric vehicle chargers if someone has a smart ecosystem.
4. Bynry
Not every brand needs an enterprise-level solution, so Bynry focuses on small- to medium-sized providers for its utility billing suits. It leverages artificial intelligence, allowing smaller organizations to engage with competitive functionalities, too. Its main draw is its SMART360 platform, which also works in the cloud.
It has multiple billing resources, including scheduled bill runs and customizable bill configuration. Outstanding balances are trouble-free to see and address in the program’s dashboard. Bynry also has next-generation meter data management, which:
- Synchronizes photo meter readings
- Validates meter data accuracy
- Integrates original equipment manufacturer data
- Organizes routes and meter readings
5. SilverBlaze
With over 22 million endpoints to its credit, SilverBlaze is a holistic CIS and billing solution. It operates in nine countries to make global reach seamless. Its priority is influencing customer behavior, making them more satisfied with their providers by keeping them engaged and providing excellent customer service with no wait times.
One fascinating feature is its Smart Forms. Whether customers need to sign a contract or engineers need to approve a workflow change, their portal includes everything. The program is buildable to ensure corporations only have what they need, so SilverBlaze has several add-ons to pick from, including but not limited to:
- Outage integration
- Telecom
- Content management
- Smart meter information
The Utility of Utility Billing Software
The practicality of these programs is infinitely valuable for serving the modern customer. A tech-forward household needs numerous services, and customers want to expend as little energy on upkeep as possible.
Utility providers want the same, so offering assistance with analytics and payment is crucial for keeping everything online and cheap for clients. Upgrading an organization by contacting one of these top-tier services is the first step toward more significant customer satisfaction and streamlined operations.
