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ATLANTA, GA., February 6, 2001 /PRNewswire/ - North American electric and natural gas utilities are moving more toward outsourcing their metering and billing needs, although this trend is developing slowly, research conducted by Chartwell Inc. shows. Some 24% of utilities responding to a Chartwell survey report outsourcing their meter reading function to a third-party provider; while 8% report completely outsourcing their billing services. These and many other findings are included in Chartwell's latest publication, Outsourcing: Solutions for the New Utility, 2001, which details the state of outsourcing activity in information services and management of essential functions surrounding the vital areas of customer service in the utility industry.

Through Chartwell's insightful case-study format, Outsourcing: Solutions for the New Utility, 2001 provides a comprehensive look at the current state of outsourcing activity in the utility industry. This research tool includes analysis of the industry -- such as the percentage of utilities outsourcing a particular function, and covers the emerging trends in the Web, including application service providers (ASP) and related companies and how they are impacting traditional outsourcing activity. Also included are cost comparisons of outsourcing vs. in-house handling of specific functions.

In Outsourcing: Solutions for the New Utility, 2001, you will see what business functions utilities are outsourcing, and how its working. Sections include:

• Customer service
• CIS and other IT initiatives
• Metering
• Billing
• Human resources
• A listing of vendors serving the industry with outsourcing services.

Outsourcing: Solutions for the New Utility, 2001 was compiled from Chartwell's industry-leading monthly publications and research reports specific to metering, billing, customer relationship management, customer information systems and more. No other book compiles more information on outsourcing and how it is being applied in the retail energy services sector.

Outsourcing: Solutions for the New Utility, 2001 can be purchased for only $495 plus shipping. For more information, please visit www.chartwellinc.com/books.htm or call 800.432.5879 or 404.237.9099.

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