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March 1, 2009
Integrated Information Management Software Boosts Productivity and Customer Service, Public Power Magazine, March-April 2009
| For More Information |
Tim Blodgett
Hometown Connections
303-526-4515
tblodgett@hometownconnections.com
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Service-Oriented Solutions from Leading Public Power Firm
A full service city with a small staff, the City of Ellensburg, Washington, knew the time had come to replace its ancient customer information system. Back in 2003, the system was 23 years old, built on custom COBOL code, and could only be managed by a single employee who was about to retire. After issuing a detailed RFP, the City selected an integrated information management software package from Cogsdale.
Municipal electric systems may now purchase innovative financial, work management, and customer information software solutions for competitive pricing as the result of a new marketing alliance between software leader Cogsdale Corporation and Hometown Connections, a utility services subsidiary of the American Public Power Association.
With more than 320 clients worldwide, Cogsdale focuses on public power utilities, local government organizations and rural electric co-operatives. Cogsdale’s “Systems Without Boundaries” approach to system integration incorporates all the functionality for the day-to-day operation of local governments and utilities. This integrated system provides:
Financial Management
--GL/AP/Budgeting/Bank Reconciliation/Reporting
People Management
--Payroll/HR
Asset Management
--Purchasing/Inventory/Fixed Assets
Work Management
--Construction/Work Orders/Maintenance/Projects
Customer Service Management
--Billing/Customer Information/Collections/ Payments/Customer Web
Cogsdale provides fully integrated solutions by leveraging the knowledge of its customers with the strength of the Microsoft Dynamics platform. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Cogsdale offers clients the opportunity to implement an integrated system across the organization. Cogsdale products work seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM to provide a comprehensive financial management solution that includes everything from General Ledger and Project Accounting to Permits and Licenses as well as Utility Billing and Service Order Scheduling. The use of Microsoft technologies and familiar Windows interfaces allows public power staff to utilize the skills they already have and transition between structured (financial transactions, billing, etc.) and unstructured (email, customer requests, etc.) and work processes.
Today, the City of Ellensburg is running Cogsdale’s CIS, General Ledger, HR, Payroll, AP/AR, Inventory, Project Accounting, Fixed Assets, Purchasing, Online Bill Pay and Fund Transfer applications. “The Cogsdale package is highly integrated, offering single entry with data population where needed and great drill-down capability,” said Bob Titus, Energy Services Director. “Cogsdale provides us the tools to provide quality data related services to both internal and external customers, and we are enjoying the added benefit of tight integration with Microsoft's Office Suite of products."
Kissimmee Utility Authority’s old financial information system had been installed in the 1980’s and did not allow for easy data retrieval. In addition, the Florida utility needed a construction management system that would track and capitalize at the FERC/retirement unit level. Unable to find a suitable off-the-shelf system, KUA selected Cogsdale to design a solution to meet its specific needs. “This commitment coupled with the fact that Cogsdale is a Microsoft Dynamics GP provider made this an easy choice for us,” said Susan Singleton, KUA’s Business Quality Improvement Manager. “Cogsdale is extremely accommodating and always open to requests for enhancements. They have worked hand-in-hand with us to understand our operational practices and have adapted their solutions accordingly.”
Cogsdale applications lead the industry in functionality, ease of use and flexibility. Key components include the Customer Service Management solution, which is capable of meeting electricity, water, wastewater, storm water, gas, cable, Internet and other billing needs. More than a powerful billing system, Cogsdale CSM is a complete solution for managing public power customer relationships.
The Cogsdale team includes former employees of municipal utilities and local governments, long-time consultants within the sector and professional accountants who have worked as auditors and advisors to organizations in the industry.
“We are very pleased to ally with Hometown Connections to serve the public power sector,” said Kevin Clancey, Vice President, Business Development. “Our customer growth in public power and product enhancements specific for municipal utilities makes this a great time to expand our awareness to other power providers through the alliance with Hometown Connections.”
Hometown Connections President and CEO Tim Blodgett stated, “After completing a thorough analysis of the products and services of Cogsdale Corporation, we are excited to be adding Cogsdale’s information management software solutions to the Hometown Connections portfolio. Cogsdale offers advanced yet easy-to-use solutions suited to the unique needs of public power utilities and their customers.”
Visit these web sites for more information.
• Cogsdale Corporation
• Hometown Connections
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