CONTACT INFORMATION

Optiron Corporation
www.optiron.com

PITTSBURGH, PA., September 2, 2003 – Optiron Corporation, developers of the Readi System® customer care and billing software for the energy industry, announced the release of Version 3.4 with new features and functionality that strengthens its position as the leading Customer Information System (CIS) solution for utilities and energy service companies. Among the many features of the new release is Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) support. According to Carmine Fantini, Optiron’s Chief Technology Officer, “The Readi System EAI capabilities enable our clients to seamlessly integrate business process and enterprise applications in real-time. Having XML at the heart of this capability provides a powerful and extensible solution that can be completely automated. Readi allows business to get back to business.”

Additional new features of Release 3.4 of the Readi System include:

Credit & Collections

• Online Credit Application
• Enhanced Credit & Collection Process Support
• Supports Business Process Mapping for Credit & Collection and Termination
• Enhanced External Credit Reporting and Data Exchange

Audit Controls & Data Validity Checking

• 15 new audit controls added to the system including Automatic Meter Read Device Checks, Base Load Value Checking, Enhanced Hi/Lo Read Reporting, etc.

Contact Management

• More Powerful Contact Log Defaults
• Improved Customer Mailer Processing Features

Pricing & Rates

• Enhanced Effective Date Options
• Improved Account Code Mapping
• More Flexible and Powerful Rating Engine

Utility Billing Features

• Enhanced Cancel/Re-bill Functionality
• Bill Messaging Links to Work Queues
• Online Bill Approval & Routing Mechanism

Payment & Adjustment Processing

• Enhanced Payment Application Ranking and Rules Processing
• Improvements to Lockbox, EFT, and Collection Agency Processing
• Consumption Adjustment Processing Improvements

Financial Controls & Reporting

• Enhanced Write-Off Capability

Regulatory Compliance

• Support for XML Electronic Transfer to PUC/PSC for Complaints and Responses

Enrollment & Ordering

• Enhanced Security Deposit Calculation Support

Contract Management

• Support for Bundled Discounts
• Budget Calculation Worksheet
• Contract Balance Transfer Mechanism
• Enhancements to Special Financing and Arrearage Payment Plans
• Litigation & Bankruptcy Tracking and Reporting Improvements

Work Queue Management

• Enhancements Including Audit Control Checking, Actions Due, Work Orders, Invoice Approvals, etc.

Service & Work Orders

• Enhancements to Automatic Work Order Generation
• Improved Work Order Response Time Tracking
• Work Flow and Task Ownership Tracking Improvements

Meter Management & Inventory

• Additional Meter Performance Characteristics
• Improved Meter Read Interfaces
• Service Line Inventory Management Enhancements

Gas Transportation Management

• Improved Flexibility in Nomination and RNQ Period Assignment
• Enhanced Reporting of Historical Changes to MDFR and MDQ Volumes
• More Powerful MDQ Calculation Support for C&I Customers

“These feature enhancements and the Readi System core functionality support the idea that a balance between higher customer service levels and cost reduction can be attained through the implementation of new technologies and approaches.”, comments Angelo F. Pasquale, Chief Executive Officer of Optiron Corporation. He adds, “The Readi System provides utilities and energy companies with a level of automation, agility, integration, and efficiency that fits the demands of today’s market and positions companies for the future.”

About Optiron Corporation
Optiron Corporation (www.optiron.com) provides web-based billing and customer care solutions to utilities, energy service companies, and municipal authorities. Optiron's founders have more than 27 years direct energy industry business experience, including early participation in retail choice, and over 20 years energy information system and commercial application development experience. Optiron’s product, the Readi System, was designed from the ground up to handle both regulated and deregulated converged billing and customer care. The Readi System offers the highest level of functionality using the latest, proven technology that gives Optiron’s clients a competitive advantage.

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