HCL Rolls Out Billing, Energy Accounting Package For HPSEB

HCL Infosystems has rolled out a project for the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) to introduce a computerised billing and energy accounting package (IT Package) for HPSEB in Shimla. This is for the first time in India that an integrated CRM and network analysis has been implemented. The data centre, call centre and payment kiosks of the project were unveiled by the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal at a function held recently at the state secretariat.

HCL has successfully implemented 10 fully automated sub divisions benefiting over 70,000 consumers of Shimla operation circle, covering functions such as meter reading, billing and collection; energy auditing and accounting; MIS; redressal of consumer grievances and establishment of IT-enabled consumer service centres.

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The roll out of this project to extend the services to other consumers is expected to start by April 2009 covering approx 11 lakh consumers for 122 sub divisions across the state. A call centre has also been inaugurated. By dialing a toll free number 1260, consumers of ten sub divisions of Shimla can avail the facility of getting information regarding current energy bill, previous payment as well as register a complaint/ grievance at this toll free number. Consumers can also view, print and pay their energy bill through the payment kiosk installed at Mall Road, Shimla either through cash or cheque.

This project will help in effective redressal of consumer complaints, improvement in response and resolution time of complaints, improvement in quality of supply through better planning and optimisation of the distribution network, ready status available for consumers at website for new connection/ disconnection/ load reduction/ load increase/ file movement and any other grievance. In addition, consumers can pay their energy and non-energy bills either at the Web portal of HPSEB or at any other sub division irrespective of the area of control.

Other benefits that HPSEB will derive from this project include improvement in financial viability, reduction in T&D losses, improved customer satisfaction, increase in reliability and quality of power supply, transparency and accountability through computerisation and self sufficiency. With the implementation of the IT package, the technology framework will be in place and will ultimately be used for implementing Distribution Management System/ SCADA, the ultimate goal of HPSEB to achieve self sufficiency.

HPSEB has also initiated a process to computerise its balance functions by implementing an ERP package. Functions proposed to be covered are material management, project management, HRM including payroll, financial accounting, and availability based tariff. The ERP system will ensure the availability of online consistent information across the organisation that would facilitate efficient decision making. Besides this, the streamlined business process shall provide consistent business practices across locations and an excellent audit trail of all transactions.