Forget paper - online billing almost ready

Online bill presentation moved into high gear last week at Billing '99 in Dallas. Betting on more cost-effective solutions for service providers, vendors announced variations on the theme.

Logica Inc. is leading a consortium of software suppliers that will focus on creating an integrated bill presentment and payment solution. Members of the group include Adesso Software, Group 1 Software and edocs.

At the center of the group's solution is Adesso's archival system, which allows companies to use Web-based or paper-based bills from the same system.

By offering the choice, service providers can move their customers to Internet billing without having to rework their current billing system completely.

"Once you get people to the Web, you have a much better chance to cross-sell them," said Mike Maloney, executive vice president of Logica.

Primal Systems announced its version of Web-enabled billing and customer care called WebCare. The solution focuses on customer self-care, like other Web-based billing solutions, allowing a more focused marketing approach.

EEI launched its iBar product series, an Internet-based bill presentment and reporting tool that interfaces with current billing systems and allows complex analysis of billing and usage.