Efficient billing is a critical focus for municipalities and utility companies. The ability to manage, record and bill their customers efficiently, and above all accurately, can mean the difference between profit and loss for these organisations.
In line with this requirement, DST International South Africa (DSTi) recently released the latest version of its flagship customer care and billing system, HiAffinity. At the same time, it appointed Computers and Programs Africa (CPA) as its sole HiAffinity distributor in Africa.
Tony Wood, MD of CPA, says: "CPA has seven years` experience in installing and maintaining billing systems in south, central and east Africa, with over 30 utility billing installations under its belt. Our experience of Microsoft and Unix operating systems running on a wide range of hardware enables us to meet the varied needs of companies operating in the region."
HiAffinity is more than simply a billing system. Marisa Bellini, DSTi director, says the product moves away from a traditional transaction billing model towards a business process-driven billing system. HiAffinity`s Business Rules Engine prevents errors and many potential opportunities for human error, as well as simplifying the knowledge requirements of the system. This reduces a utility`s customer service and billing training needs.
"Billing systems are not conventional software applications that can be installed by slotting a CD-ROM into the server and clicking on the install button," says Bellini. "Successful implementations require strong project management skills as well as extensive experience with billing systems in the utility sector.
"CPA is one of the few companies in SA focused on billing systems that can deliver the application, integrated into the client`s infrastructure, and also train the client`s staff to be self-sufficient in a relatively short time."
To be able to focus on its core competencies of project management, training and application integration, CPA has given Business Connexion, SA`s leading Microsoft solutions specialist, the exclusive sales and marketing rights for SA and the surrounding territories.
Isaac Mophatlane, marketing director of Business Connexion, says the company foresees a tremendous need for efficient billing systems in the new municipalities and utilities in SA over the next few years.
"Our partnership with CPA will provide us with a world-class billing product and enable us to expand our skill set in this intricate, but lucrative area." Mophatlane adds that the partnership follows Business Connexion`s stated policy of expanding its scope of operations by aligning itself with market leaders in its chosen fields of operation.
"Business Connexion has delivered incredible growth over the last two years and is in a prime position to take HiAffinity into municipalities and utility companies operating in the region," says Wood.
CPA has already made inroads into its existing client base where HiAffinity`s business process-driven billing methodology promises to simplify the business of billing as well as make customer interactions shorter and more productive.
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With 16 offices and around 1 000 professionals to support its growing client base, DST International provides a comprehensive range of investment management and business process management software solutions to over 550 clients in 54 countries. Its parent company, DST Systems Inc, services nearly 8 000 mutual funds and over 78 million accounts, with 2001 revenues of $1.66 billion.
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