- Intershop 7 now includes powerful functionality specially developed for the utility sector

- E-commerce, self-service, and smart metering—all in a single solution

- Positive reception at E-world energy & water

Jena, Germany, March 27, 2013 – Intershop Communications AG, provider of innovative e-commerce software and services, has launched a turnkey e-commerce solution for the utility sector. In addition to the innovative features of the new cross-channel Intershop 7 platform, the new utility solution provides gas, electricity, and water providers with an extensive range of powerful functions that are specially designed to meet industry needs. They allow companies to offer their customers added value, to streamline their business processes, ensure full compliance with statutory requirements, and improve competitiveness by achieving faster time to market for new products, services, and functionality.

Jochen Moll, Member and Spokesman of the Board of Management at Intershop: “Thanks to our extensive experience in online commerce and our many successful customer projects, we understand that the functionality required in an e-commerce platform can vary widely between different sectors. Our new industry solution gives utility companies the technology to meet the challenges of the new energy era and turn them into opportunities for revenue.”

The new industry solution was developed in partnership with T-Systems Multimedia Solutions. Combining e-commerce, self-service, and smart metering in a single portal, it offers multiple benefits for both utility companies and their customers.

Improved customer service and process efficiency combined with cost reductions through self-service and smart metering
With the self-service functionality, companies can provide customers with a personalized area where they can choose new tariffs, update personal details (e.g., address, bank account), and view their current contract details. The benefits are two-fold: alongside improving customer satisfaction, this approach helps to reduce costs by eliminating expensive manual operations and enabling more efficient inventory management and order processing. Another important feature of the new industry solution is “smart metering.” This online evaluation and visualization of usage data enables utility companies to improve their metering and billing processes for energy and water customers. A range of usage data, including demand and cost curve diagrams, can be viewed online—another added-value feature for all utility customers, not just energy savers.

The new industry solution was very well received at last month’s “E-world energy & water” in Essen, Germany—Europe’s premier trade event for the energy and water sector. In-depth discussions took place with many interested companies, who recognized the potential to improve their existing Internet portals.

To learn more about the new Intershop solution for the utility industry, go to http://www.intershop.com/industry-solutions-utility-companies.