Driving electronic billing adoption. (Selected Topic).

It wasn't very long ago that the ATM machine was something only the brave, techno-savvy consumer dared to try. Many of us remember the first time we took the frivolous risk of allowing the machine to grab our card as we silently hoped it would deliver a crisp 20 or two. It took much longer for most of us to place our hard-earned paycheck into the cold, inhospitable machine. Yet, most consumers now use the ATM machine with the same assurance as the telephone.

In many ways, the current electronic billing solution is in those same early days of adoption jitters. While benefits to both biller and payer are significant, resistance from customers and your own employees may be great enough to curtail adoption. Customers naturally fear disruption, but your own employees may have their own concerns about upsetting the status quo. (If it's working, why fix it? And why risk upsetting your largest, most valuable customers?) Understanding the concerns and taking steps to address them during the implementation process is critical to smoothing the acceptance path for all.

Educating employees on the benefits of a well implemented electronic billing solution and the process for successful deployment should be a precursor to beginning implementation. When people see the larger picture and feel they are included in bringing the vision into focus, it's easier for them to become excited participants.

What Are the Benefits?

Biller benefits include:

* Significant cost savings through reduced paper and postage

* Streamlined internal processes