Billing Module
Revolutionizing Billing
Challenges with Current Billing Practices
Many metered utility variable charges operate on an arrears basis, relying on either "actual" or "estimated" meter reads. While this method simplifies bill calculations, it comes with two significant drawbacks:
- Delayed Billing Creates Cashflow ChallengesBills are generated only “in arrears,” leading to potential cashflow challenges for businesses, especially in competitive markets where settlement charges are incurred “in advance.”
- Consolidation ComplexityCreating truly consolidated customer bills becomes a formidable task due to the inherent difficulty in aligning meter readings for different premises within a consolidated account. This limitation hinders the efficiency of billing processes and overall customer experience.
Revolutionizing Billing with Edge
Our Edge billing module effectively eliminates the traditional link between metering and billing, offering a groundbreaking solution to overcome inherent limitations. By employing the Edge billing algorithm, which calculates an Average Daily Consumption (ADC) similar to Central Market Operators' practices for Settlement charges, we redefine the billing paradigm.
Here's how it works:
- Average Daily Consumption (ADC) CalculationThe Edge billing algorithm computes the ADC for each of the services associated with each SPID, ensuring accuracy in daily charge calculations. These daily charges are then aggregated to present customers with a comprehensive charge for the billing period.
- Dynamic ADC AdjustmentThe ADC is intelligently adjusted at the next billing cycle, accommodating any new meter reads seamlessly.
- What ADC does and does not meanADC removes the need to enter estimated meter readings. It does not mean that every billed consumption value is an actual one: days not yet covered by a read are charged at the Supply Point’s average daily consumption, and trued up once the next actual read arrives. Customer Briefing Note 002 sets out the distinction in full.
One-Stop Solution
Benefits of the ADC Billing Methodology
Elevate your billing experience with our revolutionary module. Overcoming traditional constraints, Edge disconnects metering from billing through its advanced algorithm.
No Estimated Meter Reads
No estimated readings to calculate and load – consumption between actual reads is derived from ADC and corrected at the next read
Advanced Billing Capabilities
Enjoy the flexibility to bill in advance, providing a strategic advantage in competitive markets
Customizable Billing Periods
Empower your customers with fixed billing periods independent of meter readings, offering choices like 28 days, monthly, quarterly, or annually
True Consolidated Billing
Embrace true consolidated billing, freeing from traditional constraints. Our method ensures seamless integration and accuracy across diverse services
Revolutionizing Consolidated Billing with Edge
Traditionally, consolidated bills faced limitations due to billing systems requiring billing to actual or estimated reads, often necessitating synchronization of all meters on the same day. Monthly consolidated bills were typically a compilation of invoices billed within that specific month. However, with Edge, a paradigm shift occurs.
Discover the key features:
- Flexible Billing Based on ADCEdge enables billing for all SPIDs based on ADC on a designated day of the month or any other preferred period. This flexibility eliminates the need for simultaneous meter readings.
- Comprehensive ConsolidationUnlike conventional practices, Edge consolidates all Account SPIDs seamlessly, transcending the limitations of monthly billing cycles.
- Nationwide IntegrationEdge extends its consolidation capabilities to both English and Scottish markets, allowing the creation of consolidated accounts at a UK level, encompassing SPIDs from both regions.
Empowering Billing Flexibility with Edge
Utilizing SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Edge introduces a dynamic approach to bill creation, accommodating various output formats. This innovative strategy not only ensures flexibility but also enables tailored bill appearances to meet specific customer preferences.
Explore the key features:
- Customizable Bill AppearanceEdge employs SQL Server Reporting Services to facilitate the creation of flexible bills, allowing for tailored appearances that precisely match customer requirements.
- Output Format Options at Account LevelEdge provides the flexibility to change the output format for bills at an Account level. Choose from the following options:
- Printed Bills: Traditional format for postal delivery.
- Electronic (.pdf) Bills: Conveniently sent via email.
- Excel (.xlsx) Billing Spreadsheet: A flexible 3-tab spreadsheet.
- XML Formatted Bills: Ideal for EDI integration.
Bill Validation on Demand
Complex billing structures are hard to check by eye – block tariffs, volumetric adjustments and consolidated accounts spanning both the English and Scottish markets all compound one another.
Edge checks them for you, on demand. Run Bill Validation when you need it to confirm that calculations behave as expected, and to investigate a discrepancy before it reaches the customer as a query. Bill Validation continues to develop, with further enhancements planned.
Reconstruct a Bill as It Was – and as It Should Have Been
Billing data changes after the event. A read is corrected, a tariff is backdated, a market record is restated, and the bill you sent no longer matches the data you hold today.
Edge records both when something was true and when you learned it was true. A historical bill can therefore be reproduced exactly as it looked on the day it was issued, and set alongside the version that reflects every correction made since.
Queries are answered with evidence rather than rebuilt by hand, and corrections can be re-billed without losing the original position. Customer Briefing Note 012 explains the underlying bi-temporal model.
Discover Unmatched Flexibility with Edge Billing
The Edge Billing module offers an exceptionally adaptable approach to bill creation, providing users with three distinct methods
Manual Billing
Experience ad hoc billing as needed, allowing users the flexibility to create bills on-demand
Semi-Automated Billing
Streamline the process by loading a list of Accounts and Billing dates to Edge daily. Bills are then generated seamlessly in an overnight billing run
Fully-Automated Billing
Harness the power of predefined Account Billing settings to establish the preferred bill period and date. Watch as bills are effortlessly generated in an overnight billing run