Excelergy, a Boston, MA-based energy software solutions company,has agreed to provide web-based billing and customer servicesystems to Boston Gas and two other gas distribution subsidiariesof Eastern Enterprises. In an announcement made yesterday, BostonGas and Excelergy said the new systems will provide better supportfor customers and prepare the utilities for the upcoming transitionto deregulation. Financial terms of the transactions were notdisclosed. Boston Gas said a final installation date has not beenset.

“The new systems do two things. First off, they answer the majorrequest from our large customers. They want to access and managetheir accounts online,” said Mike Connors, a Boston Gas spokesman.”Our old system was unable to do that. Secondly, as Massachusettsmoves towards deregulation for residential customers, theDepartment of Energy and Telecommunications (DTE) has requestedthat the utilities employ systems with the ability to make thattransition.”

Connors said the collaborative working on legislation toderegulate residential gas service in Massachusetts is progressingat a fast pace. Boston Gas already offers gas supplier choice to4000 industrial and commercial customers.

Engineered to meet the competitive demands of the deregulatedenergy market, Excelergy’s fully EDI compliant advanced billingplatform, ABP 1200, will be implemented and extended as part of thecustomer information management system for Boston Gas, Essex Gasand Colonial Gas. Completion of the first two phases ofimplementation is scheduled for calendar year 2000. ABP 1200 is aweb-enabled platform that allows users to build a highly scalableand customized system.

Boston Gas, Essex Gas and Colonial Gas are subsidiaries ofEastern Enterprises. Upon completion of the pending merger withEnergyNorth, Inc., Eastern will serve over 800,000 gas customers inMassachusetts and New Hampshire.

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