User Department: Kerala Water Authority (KWA)

Name of Project: ‘ ABACUS’
[Advanced Billing, Accounting, Collection and Utility Services]


Criticality of IT Usage

Kerala Water Authority is the Govt. of Kerala agency responsible for providing water supply across the state of Kerala. The ABACUS computerized system has been evolved as a full-fledged workable online software covering almost all functions of Consumer Billing (Bimonthly) and Revenue Collection of KWA. Around 65% of the consumers are benefited from the computerized system that is fully operational at most of the collection centers in Kerala. The software provides an interface for the collections made from ‘FRIENDS Centres’ and also from selected banks, for providing better service to the customers. The centralized water billing system proposed by the Government of Kerala is under development.

Improvement in Consumer Service

The software is very useful for both the Government and for the Public, as it acts as a decision support system, by providing analytical reports such as DCB Report (Demand Collection Balance), Meter Functionality, Problems in taking readings, Performance report of Meter Readers etc. Details of arrears and collections are also made available at fingertips.

Impact on Society

The Software determines the due date for the bill payment for each customer in advance, to avoid rush at the cash counters. With the extension of collection centres at Bank and ‘FRIENDS Centres’, it has become very easy for the consumers to pay their bills. The consumer also has the liberty to make advance payments.

Innovation

The process of ‘Meter Reading’ and ‘Bill Supply’ are made simple by the introduction of ‘Route wise (Physical location) classification’ of consumers and by the allotment of meter readers. The roles of the software users are clearly defined to avoid any misuse of the system.

Strategic Advantage

A remarkable improvement in the efficiency of the department has been proved, with the significant hike in the collection, after the introduction of the computerized system. Lakhs of consumers are getting benefits out of it, specially the public of urban area. The software provides the best service to the customers by providing timely and accurate bills, which also paves the way for a significant hike in the revenue collection for the department.

Benefits to the Citizen