CRM functionality includes:

• Efficient, call-center-friendly interface
• Rule-driven customer interaction
• Integration with telephony technologies
• Screen pop
• Campaign management
• Sales support for inbound and outbound calls
• Contact tracking
• Customer, contract, and location notes
• User-defined data fields (attributes)
• Prospecting support
• Customer segmentation
• Interface with customer data mart
• Flexible search criteria
• Customer data access via Internet

Deregulation

Supported functionality includes:

• Rule-driven, industry-standard transaction handling
• Flexible data model
• Multi-supplier and -receivable capable
• Multi-jurisdiction, rule-driven processing
• Online customer transactions via the Internet 

Billing and Rates

Billing is based on formulas that are designed, tested and applied at the client site without software enhancements. This "on the fly" approach gives the client great flexibility to respond to an ever-changing business environment.

Supported functionality includes:

• User-defined billing periods
• Cancel/rebill
• Bundled and unbundled rates
• On-demand billing
• Interval rates and complex billing
• Flexible tax structures
• Curtailment
• User-defined rules and formulas for bill calculation and read validation
• Streetlight and other non-metered billing
• Rule-driven estimation
• Taxes/franchise fees/exemptions
• Messages and inserts
• Bill format interface

Payment Processing

Payment processing is rule-based, and you define the criteria for applying partial payments.

Open-cIS's supported functionality includes:

• Online cash processing
• User-defined posting priority
• Directed-payment processing
• Credit card payments
• Standard ACH interface
• Payment hierarchy (even across multiple companies)

Credit and Collections

Credit review is dictated by an activity schedule and consists of rule-based processing. You determine the system actions that are initiated by Open-cIS, when they occur, and under what conditions to effect such functionality as:

• Credit verification (via interface)
• Transfers
• Payment arrangements
• Credit scoring
• Rule-driven receivable processing
• Write-offs
• Bankruptcy
• Deposits and refunds
• Collection agency interface

Service Orders

You define the order types to implement and the formulas for calculating service charges.

Supported functionality includes:

• Unlimited order types
• Automated initiation and processing
• Service Order query and reporting
• Order scheduling and routing
• real-time interface to work management 
• Service application
• Premise and non-premise orders
• Meter change
• Customer move-in/move-out

Devices are configurable. You define the attributes and characteristics that are stored in the system. Open-cIS supports individual, lot, periodic, and one-off testing as well as purchasing and inventory.

Features include:

• Unlimited device types
• Device management interface and repository
• Device tracking
• Master/sub-meter relationships
• Attached device relationships
• Meter inventory
• Meter test data entry (online and via interface)
• User-defined attributes
• Device status and location

Measurement

Measurement data can be entered online or via interfaces with AMR and hand-held systems.

Supported functionality includes:

• Meter read routing and rerouting (via interface to routing system)
• Scheduling
• Automated upload and download
• Read validation according to user-defined tolerances
• Read estimation using rules and formulas

Customer Information

A customer-friendly interface supports inquiries (i.e., customer overview, billing history, etc.) and can be tailored at each customer site "on the fly". The multi-company functionality of the system allows your call center to operate efficiently and effectively in a deregulated environment.

Features include:

• Customer set-up and maintenance
• Search using multiple criteria
• Screen-pop support (via CTI interface)
• Prospect tracking (without premise or service)
• Relationships with other customers
• Contracts with service providers

Finance and Accounting

Open-cIS is multi-company/multi-receivable and has a completely configurable chart of accounts. Generally accepted accounting processes are designed into the system and can be audited at a very fine level of detail.

Highlights include:

• Multi-company
• Multi-receivable ownership
• Rule-driven, activity-based GL mapping
• Financial controls and reports

Interfaces

All file transfer interface points are designed with the intention of using a middle data format. Real-time interfacing to Open-cIS is possible via COM interfaces or MSMQ.

Security

A rules-based security system is designed into all levels of Open-cIS. Open-cIS supports individual and user group security at the process, screen, or field level.

Internet Enablement

Open-cIS's inquiry, bill presentment, and payment areas are being designed with Internet functionality in mind. Support for remote agents is also being developed. For the short term, special attention is being given to the web-based needs of commercial and industrial customers.

Conversion

Open-cIS comes complete with proven conversion processes and tools that are supported by documented middle data formats.