North Carolina’s water utility selects VertexOne’s WaterSmart platform

North Carolina’s Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (WSFC) Utilities has chosen VertexOne’s WaterSmart solution to offer customers with a convenient online and mobile customer portal.

This service is expected to serve as a complement to the new WaterSavvy meter network upgrade to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

WSFC Utilities, with a history going back to 1774, is the latest of more than 150 utilities to embrace VertexOne’s software-as-a-service customer engagement and data analytics solution.

The WaterSmart platform will enable the utility and its over 370,000 customers with new capabilities, including timely notifications for potential leaks and high bills, besides more detailed consumption analytics, which will in turn aid the utility to effectively manage resources.

WSFC Utilities deputy director Mike Koivisto said: “We’re excited to work with VertexOne and Sensus to help us reduce the costs and safety concerns of manually reading meters, while we access real-time visibility of water usage.

“We look forward to providing continued transparency for our customers throughout this meter upgrade program and encourage them to engage with us online.

“Additionally, users will be able to register for leak notifications to help save money and protect their property. This will be a great enhancement to our existing leak investigation services.”

Both residential and commercial customers will be able to have access to WaterSmart’s Customer Portal and receive personalised information about their water use and how it compares to the earlier periods.

They will also be able to view customised water-saving recommendations, receive up-to-date news, and view rebate information.

Currently, WaterSmart provides over four million utility account holders across North America with these capabilities.

WaterSmart’s Utility Analytics Dashboard will enable the utility employees with strong programme reporting, tracking, and data analytics besides multi-channel, digital communication tools.

Through the customer-engaging self-service technology, VertexOne’s utility partners can cut down incoming customer calls, field staff visits and bill delinquencies.

VertexOne CEO Andrew Jornod said: “VertexOne is honoured to have been selected by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities to enhance their advanced metering infrastructure deployment and demonstrate the value of this investment to their customers.

“The WaterSmart program has helped utilities throughout the nation build a bridge-to-AMI while giving their customers the same level of online self-service they have come to expect from other providers.

“We anticipate that the WaterSavvy program will achieve the same impressive results in North Carolina.”