Utility providers are in a constant battle to improve their customer experience (CX), enhance customer satisfaction, all while reducing costs, limiting wasted time and improving operational efficiencies. Thankfully, smart metering can help.
But what actually is smart metering, what are the benefits and how can your utility successfully implement a smart utility metering solution. SilverBlaze answers all those questions here.
What is smart metering?
Unlike traditional meter reading which is done through estimates and the occasional check-up, smart metering is a method used to measure and communicate a customer’s utility usage through meter reading software.
Through smart metering, a customer’s utility usage can be accurately logged and reported back to their utility provider in real-time. This means customers are only ever charged for what they actually use during their billing period, utility providers can see detailed data on customer consumption and customers can make a more informed decision about how they use their energy.
Through smart utility metering solutions, whether water, electricity or gas, utility providers are able to provide customers with detailed data that shows their utility usage, usage patterns, how much they consume and much more.
Through alerts and notifications, utility providers can provide customers with real-time updates straight to their phone in regards to their usage, paperless billing, planned outages and much more.
What are the benefits of smart metering?
Smart metering solutions will bring great benefits for both your customers and your organization. Not only does it create a better dialogue between your utility and your customer and improve customer access to usage data, but it can also save your company money.
Here are the top three benefits that a smart utility metering solution will bring your business:
1 – Improved customer satisfaction
Smart metering has a host of benefits for your utility’s customers. Perhaps the biggest benefit is the ability to send your customers visual charts, in real-time, of how much they are consuming. This will allow them to adjust their usage, save money and reduce their impact on the environment.
By empowering customers to track their energy usage, reduce their carbon footprint and lower the amount they spend on bills each month, your utility will be left with customers who are more satisfied and engaged with the service you offer.
2 – Accurate and easy tracking of utility usage
Smart meters send accurate information through to your utility in real-time, meaning by implementing meter reading software you’ll completely eliminate the need to make estimates. Not only will this improve customer satisfaction through accuracy, but it will also help your utility save money and time in the long run.
This should be an important part of your utility’s conservation and demand management strategy – improving your customer experience while saving you money and improving your efficiencies.
3 – Enhanced communications with utility customers
The on-demand economy means customers now want increased interaction with the companies they partner with, and utility providers are no different. The smart home trend is the perfect opportunity to enhance communication with your customer.
Through proactive communication tools such as notifications, alerts and an innovative customer portal, you can ensure your customers are receiving all of the data and information they need to have a superior customer experience.
Does your utility have a smart metering customer portal module?
A smart metering solution can help your utility realize significant benefits, but to truly get the most out of smart metering it’s crucial you implement a customer portal with a smart metering module.
The SilverBlaze Smart Metering module integrates smart metering data into one easy-to-use solution for customers. This means they can easily access their usage data, receive notifications when they are reaching their allocated usage amount (or using more than usual) and pay their bills with a few simple clicks of a button.
By integrating a smart metering module into your utility metering solution strategy you’ll be able to ensure that your utility is able to deliver customer-centric experiences that delight your customers and strengthen their relationship with your organization.
Want to learn more about SilverBlaze’s innovative smart metering module and customer portal? Contact our team of expert today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
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