|
|
|
CONTACT INFORMATION
Peace Software
www.peace.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BC Gas and Peace Software Launch
Phase Two e-Business Expansion
Phase Two builds on competitive
advantages created in Phase One for customer service, operational
efficiency, and cost savings
ATLANTA, GA., December 4, 2000 - Peace Software, a global
provider of e-Business solutions for retail energy companies, and
BC Gas Inc., a leading provider of energy and utility services in
Western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest, today announced the
launch of phase two implementation to further e-enable BC Gas' business
for impending deregulation.
"Our decision to proceed with the next stage of implementation
is founded on Peace Software's proven ability to Deliver interactive
web-based services to our 250,000 Interior customers," said
Patrick Lloyd, senior vice president, Business Technologies &
Support, BC Gas Utility Ltd. "Since installing the Energy system
in April this year, we have realized vast improvements over our
previous systems, greater operational efficiencies and real unit
cost savings. These benefits came just in time as our customer service
capabilities have been greatly tested by the customers' confusion
to dramatically higher gas prices."
Brian Peace, chairman and CEO of Peace Software, said, "This
highly productive joint effort of Peace and BC Gas demonstrates
our successful and continuing partnership. BC Gas has chosen a leadership
path in the industry, and we are delighted to be an integral element
to its plans and operations."
Edna Katrichak, senior manager, Customer Management Technologies
at BC Gas Utility Ltd., said, "The Energy system empowers our
customers to directly access their account and consumption information
via the Internet and automated telephone system without needing
to speak to a customer representative. Additionally, we have taken
35 seconds off our average call time in the call center."
The next implementation phase involves enhancing the utility's
online customer care environment with new automation of business
processes. For example, field service work will be automatically
scheduled and dispatched at the time the customer calls the call
center. In addition, Peace's Energy system will be interfaced with
the SAP financials system. Interfacing with third-party applications
is efficient due to energy's open-architecture standards.
Expansion of commercial and industrial (C&I) billing capabilities
is also part of the scope for stage two implementation. This includes
flexible contract management so that BC Gas can provide its C&I
customers with customized and consolidated bills for multiple premises,
products and services.
In preparation for deregulation of British Columbia's gas markets
in November 2002, a result of the phase two project will be BC Gas'
ability to separately charge for its various energy products and
services, including gas transportation services. Also, Energy's
billing engine will support multi-commodities, namely electricity
and water, so that BC Gas can offer new products and value-added
services.
About Peace Software
Peace Software International delivers the broadest and most comprehensive
e-business solutions to the global retail energy market. The industry-leading
Energy suite is being rapidly deployed in 20 deregulating markets
spanning North America and Australasia. Based on industry standards,
the innovative and customer-proven Energy suite integrates comprehensive
customer care, e-Commerce and customer self-service, EBPP for C&I
and mass markets, and commodity management. Headquartered in Atlanta
and founded in 1984, Peace is a global company with offices in the
United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Visit us at www.peace.com
About BC Gas
BC Gas Inc. is the largest distributor of natural gas to British
Columbians. The company owns two regulated operating entities -
BC Gas Utility Ltd. and Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd, as
well as a number of non-regulated businesses. BC Gas Inc. shares
are traded on the Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver Stock Exchanges.
Additional information about BC Gas is available at www.bcgas.com
# # #
|
|