Starkville Utilities is upgrading its billing system in an effort to better serve its customers and keep track of data.
Starkville Utilities General Manager Terry Kemp said the planning for the system revamping has been going on for months. The new system the department is using is Southeastern Data Corporation (SEDC).
"We hope to be within a week of completing every bit of what we consider the back office type things," Kemp said.
Kemp said the new billing system will allow the department to track individual services. He said on the new bill, instead of having water, sewer and then sanitation included in one group, now residents will have a line item for each project.
"Now, the billing platform and the bills themselves will reflect actual services," Kemp said. "It's a more granular approach. It’s better information for the customer."
Although the new system will improve services, Kemp said there will be a few growing pains customers will experience as the system is rolled out.
He said he apologizes if there are any customers experiencing any inconveniences, and some residents will need to set up a new password. He said the new system is more secure, and provides customers an opportunity to update their billing process.
"We really are being very mindful and cautious and taking time because we are checking both systems to make sure that everything is in the right place," Kemp said. "As any conversion goes on, there's some more glitches and some hiccups that come along so we are trying to work individually with customers if they're affected."
Kemp said there is an application available for Android and iPhone users to pay their bills by using their phones.
In the app store, residents can search for Starkville Utilities. If residents are experiencing any problems with their account, Kemp said to call Starkville Utilities and they will work to get any problems fixed.
"Just contact us, we've got technicians and people working behind the scenes that will help them individually get it set up so that they can create that new password and then start accessing it as they have done in the past," Kemp said. "As we go forward, I think it's going to be a preferred way of actually making payments, viewing bills."