Main

PAMS Overview

PAMS is a Prepaid Account Management System that represents a complete solution for the reduction of bad debt while enhancing consumer service by integrating with both the CIS and AMR systems.

Managing prepaid accounts in a traditional CIS or billing system presents a unique challenge to electric service providers. PAMS was developed to provide the solution to these challenges by eliminating some of the requirements of a traditional billing model. Bill cycle dates, invoices or bills, late fees and deposits are all required when supporting a traditional post paid customer but they play no role in the prepaid model or in PAMS.

The ability to rate and charge for usage on a daily basis is also a new concept. In areas where a Power Charge Adjustment (PCA) or Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF) is used, the ability to estimate these charges is critical.

By combining information from the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system and the Customer Information System (CIS), PAMS makes it possible to calculate a daily energy charge by applying the current base rate as well as the Power Charge Adjustment (PCA) to the previous day’s total kWh usage. Once the charge is calculated, it is deducted daily from the consumer’s account.

In addition to the metered usage charge, additional charges are also calculated and deducted daily. These include security light charges (which typically consist of a flat rate plus a fixed kWh charge rated at the current PCA), monthly consumer fees or convenience charges and any other fixed monthly charges. If the consumer is subject to local or sales tax, it too is added to the daily usage. This is accomplished by prorating the fixed charges on a daily basis. This allows the consumer to accurately see what his true daily charges are, thus enabling him to make better decisions on his daily usage or energy consumption

		The Management Portal Integral to PAMS is the Management Portal, a web based application used by the electric service provider to setup and manage prepaid accounts, post payments and manage all other aspects of
	PAMS. Access to the Management Portal is via a standard web browser over an internet connection. No additional software is required on the user's workstation. All access is via Secure Socket Layers (SSL) which provides 128 bit encryption.

		Notification Services A key feature of PAMS is the ability to keep the consumer informed of the status of his account. This is accomplished via the Notification Services. This feature provides the consumer with timely and accurate information about consumption and account status. This is accomplished by allowing the consumer
	to select the notification type, method of delivery, and time of delivery. The notification types include Daily Balance and Usage, Recharge, Low Balance and Disconnect. Notification methods include automated telephone calls, email, text message and pager.

		Inbound Consumer Services Consumers may also access their account information either by telephone or via the internet using Inbound Consumer Services. Internet access
	is provided through a secure website that provides up to date usage information, transaction detail and historical usage. In addition, the consumer can update or change their notification preferences through this web service. Account information may also be accessed by telephone by calling the 24 hour telephone interactive voice response system that is included in PAMS. The IVR is connected directly to the PAMS database and provides real-time information to the consumers from any telephone.

		Interactive Agent Seamless integration with both the AMR and CIS system allows PAMS to provide up to date account and usage information to the consumer. The agent is installed onsite and communicates with the
	PAMS server over the internet and requires no user interface.

Our Company : Products : Partners : Support : Contact Us