Tiscali World Online launches with e-billing option

Having recently launched into the cellular service provider market, Tiscali World Online, one of SA's largest Internet service providers, has taken the high ground by providing its subscribers with an option to receive invoices and statements through a secure e-mail process.

Says Graeme Victor, MD of Tiscali World Online: "Our differentiator in the highly traded cellular market is customer service. One of our special offerings to our clients is a choice of how they would like to receive their monthly invoices, statements and itemised call listing. They can select to receive these documents by e-mail or, if they prefer, through the more traditional print, post or fax methods."

Tiscali World Online is running its e-billing through SA's specialist in secure electronic document delivery, The E-mail Corporation. Says Victor: "We selected Emailco to partner in the distribution of our invoicing, as they are the specialists in the delivery of secure electronic documentation. In addition, the delivery process that Emailco has developed is approved by the South African Revenue Service, and provides a simple process for our customers to use."

Says Alison Wright, The E-mail Corporation's Sales and Marketing Director: "One of Emailco's primary considerations in our e-billing solution is the ease of use of the customer experience."

Electronic invoicing also provides Tiscali World Online with functionality that traditional print and post billing will never achieve. Says Wright: "The biller can do much more with an electronic document than with a static printed document. There are no additional costs associated with adding design or colour to the invoice documents, and extra pages will not spike the price per document. Future functionality, such as a spreadsheet format which can be uploaded into the client's accounting package, will keep Tiscali World Online one step ahead of its larger competitors in this aspect of customer service."

Tiscali World Online is happy with the cost-saving aspect of e-billing, which promises savings of more than 50% compared to the printing and posting of the same document. Says Victor: "Although we will honour the request of clients who would prefer printed statements, we would encourage customers to select the e-billing option. The cost savings experienced here will enable us to invest in other aspects of customer service."