Premium
Secrets to a successful CIS implementation
Author(s) -
Rettie Melanie
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2005.tb10913.x
Subject(s) - task (project management) , key (lock) , productivity , process management , customer needs , business , computer science , component (thermodynamics) , consumption (sociology) , risk analysis (engineering) , operations management , marketing , computer security , engineering , systems engineering , economics , social science , physics , sociology , macroeconomics , thermodynamics
An up‐to‐date customer information system (CIS) is an essential component of an effective water utility business. These systems are responsible for a wide range of key business activities including billing, managing credit and collections, tracking water consumption, and responding to customers' needs. Having an old or outdated CIS results in decreased functionality and productivity along with increased costs because of repairs. Upgrading or replacing (implementing) a CIS, however, is a daunting task with plenty of room for costly error, a major reason many utilities avoid it. This decision, however, further hinders their ability to address customer needs and meet business challenges. They no longer need to avoid this critical task. Utilities that have successfully implemented CISs share certain practices and traits. This article identifies those and outlines the steps toward a successful implementation.