Three Ontario utilities energized with shared customer information system

Mid-sized Ontairo hydro companies implement shared information system that could save millions and benefit consumers as well.
10/13/2008 4:00:00 AM By: Kavita Gosyne

Sharing a common customer information management system could save Ontario utilities millions of dollars – savings that could potentially be passed on to consumers.

Such a shared system has been created by London's Hydro following its recent rollout of a new customer information System (CIS) based on software from Waldorf, Germany-based SAP AG.

So far two other mid-sized utility companies in the province are participating in the shared system. The group is collectively known as CODAC.

Participants include Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Inc., Greater Sudbury Utilities Inc., and London Hydro Inc.

CODAC members adopt common processes – customized to Ontario's utility market – for tasks such as rebates, interval billing, smart meter billing and more.

The shared system offers a broad range of benefits, says a London Hydro executive.

As opposed to each of Ontario's 83 utility companies separately deploying its own system on site, a shared development provides incredible cost and time savings, said Vinay Sharma, vice-president, customer services at London Hydro.

Through such a shared model, he said, utilities would avoid as much as much as $10 million in initial investments. Down the line benefits would include:

Annual capital expenditure savings from $275,000 - $375,000
Reduced annual maintenance and support costs to the tune of $200,000 - $375,000

But the positive impact extends beyond technology-related cost savings.

It includes other benefits, such as reduced training expenditure, shared skilled sets, and the ability to negotiate more effectively with third parties.

In addition, Sharma said, the common customer information system would reduce risks for utilities, and foster consistent and timely processes that benefit both business and residential customers.

Utility companies would definitely benefit from this shared utility model, and there would be no downside to consumers, Sharma said.

He said consumers would not have to pay anything more to fund the new system.

And the consumer's stake in this shared system extends beyond the "cost" factor.

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