Opening of Proposals - Utility Billing System - North Star Utilities Solutions - Part 1

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INVl1 I I114a 1^1" regular dial -up or networked docking stations, mCARE is a powerful extension of the NorthStar CIS. The results are improved customer service and increased production from service personnel. By utilizing web -based technologies, mCARE is easy to set up, learn and maintain. As a result, this product has a very high return on investment and low total cost of ownership. For dispatchers and field personnel, mCARE is extremely quick to learn and easy to use. mCARE is completely web -based, operating on any mobile device equipped with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition. Many of our customers are facing extensive meter replacement programs that will create a tremendous amount of paperwork to track and eventually enter into their billing system. To reduce the paperwork and effort associated with this process, NorthStar has enhanced mCARE to fully automate the meter replacement process. This will include the scheduling of the replacement, recording the final meter read, and recording the meter number for the new smart meter. We believe the key to mCARE is the direct link and integration to NorthStar's customer information and billing system. We have also increased the functionality by allowing field service staff to sequence and re -sequence service orders dynamically in the field based on geocodes stored from their GIS systems. There are two main components to mCARE; mCARE Dispatch and mCARE Field. mCARE Dispatch With mCARE you can have multiple dispatchers set up by department, service type (electric, water, sewer, etc.), service order type, or even who they can dispatch service orders to. Dispatchers can create bulk service orders for a specific type such as meter changes or search for orders based on multiple criteria. This can include historical service orders or orders for future dates. Once they have their list they can review outstanding service orders and assign them to specific field service representatives or put them into a general queue that any field service representative can see and pick orders from. mCARE Field Once service orders are dispatched to a field representative they can be picked up in one of two methods. If the field rep is connected to the network either physically or via a wireless connection they will receive notification that new service orders have been assigned to them and are ready to be downloaded on to their tablet/PC. Field representatives can then sort through their orders based on a number of criteria that they can select in the field. Field representatives also have the option of sorting them using popular mapping software such as Microsoft Streets & Trips or Microsoft Map Point and creating drive routes. With a wireless connection, field representatives can check on the status of orders to see if they have been cancelled prior to performing the service order. A good use of this functionality would be to check the status before completing a shut off service order. Once a service order has been completed it can be uploaded immediately in a wireless environment or at the end of the day when the service rep returns to the office. mCARE is a highly flexible tool that can be adapted to each utility. For example mCARE allows utilities to create their own electronic forms for South Bendlecting data and are specific to service order type. Once the data has been South Bendlected it is then available for reporting or by customer service representatives when viewing an account. NorthStar Proposal Response —South Bend Indiana