CommSecure Gains Momentum with Local Councils within Weeks of LGSA Deal
Announcement posted by CommSecure 07 Nov 2003
Leeton and Penrith councils have implemented online payment systems less than one month after the states peak local government association appointed CommSecure Limited (ASX:CMS) to supply such technology.
The Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW (LGSA) represent 172 metropolitan and rural local councils in NSW. In late September, LGSA selected CommSecure to supply electronic payment systems and began presenting its solution to members.
Leeton Shire Council and Penrith City Council have moved quickly to ensure that residents are able to use the new Internet facilities to pay November rates notices, issued at the end of October. Leeton residents can also use the facility to pay water rates.
The Councils are introducing new e-commerce facilities in a staged manner by deploying CommSecures integrated service modules. Penrith, for example, has started with Biller Direct for online bill presentment and payment. It plans to add BPAY View, interactive voice response (IVR) payments and CommSecures outsourced direct debit management solution (DDR Secure).
A further five councils have already committed to implementing new systems under the LGSA arrangement.
CommSecure is today the largest supplier of online billing and payment solutions to the NSW local government sector. It has also achieved sales in Queensland and begun marketing its solution nationally. A total of eight councils use CommSecures services, with a further three completing implementations.
"This shows how quickly and easily organisations can implement CommSecures ASP-style, modular services," said Mr Ray Loyzaga, Managing Director of CommSecure. "It also illustrates how much pent-up demand exists for online billing and payment solutions."CommSecure Gains Momentum / Page 3
CommSecures e-commerce solution makes it simple for councils to display individual rates notices and other bills via their websites including archives with records dating back up to 15 months. The system also accepts secure online payments and through the BPAY View system, rates notices and other items can also be displayed and paid within a residents regular Internet banking service.
With the CommSecure online platform, councils can provide a wide range of payment options to ratepayers including phone (IVR), Internet (payments, electronic billing and BPAY View), direct debit and over-the-counter payments. These services are provided via CommSecures three main e-business solutions: PaySecure, BillSecure and DDRSecure (details below).
Local councils implementing CommSecure solutions typically use email to notify registered residents that they have received a rates notice or other bill. The ratepayer then visits the councils website or enters BPAY View to securely view and pay their invoice. Councils are also continuing to send paper copies of the notices and residents can still pay via cheque and other conventional means.
Over time, local government groups are expected to encourage residents to go completely electronic in order to reduce operational costs, reduce the environmental impact of paper-based billing and improve convenience.
The LGSA contract runs from September 2003 to August 2005.
About CommSecure:
CommSecure Limited (ASX:CMS) is a technology and services company providing comprehensive e-business solutions to corporate, government and other clients in Australia, Asia and the U.S.. Established in 1998, CommSecure is among Australias leading ecommerce specialists with solutions that include: PaySecure (Australias most complete e-payments gateway service); BillSecure (electronic bill payment and presentment); MarketSecure (online share trading and financial markets systems); and HostSecure (specialist Internet hosting). It also captures and manages Direct Debit Request forms via its DDRSecure service and provides sophisticated Web Development and Technical Consulting services. See www.commsecure.com
The Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW (LGSA) represent 172 metropolitan and rural local councils in NSW. In late September, LGSA selected CommSecure to supply electronic payment systems and began presenting its solution to members.
Leeton Shire Council and Penrith City Council have moved quickly to ensure that residents are able to use the new Internet facilities to pay November rates notices, issued at the end of October. Leeton residents can also use the facility to pay water rates.
The Councils are introducing new e-commerce facilities in a staged manner by deploying CommSecures integrated service modules. Penrith, for example, has started with Biller Direct for online bill presentment and payment. It plans to add BPAY View, interactive voice response (IVR) payments and CommSecures outsourced direct debit management solution (DDR Secure).
A further five councils have already committed to implementing new systems under the LGSA arrangement.
CommSecure is today the largest supplier of online billing and payment solutions to the NSW local government sector. It has also achieved sales in Queensland and begun marketing its solution nationally. A total of eight councils use CommSecures services, with a further three completing implementations.
"This shows how quickly and easily organisations can implement CommSecures ASP-style, modular services," said Mr Ray Loyzaga, Managing Director of CommSecure. "It also illustrates how much pent-up demand exists for online billing and payment solutions."CommSecure Gains Momentum / Page 3
CommSecures e-commerce solution makes it simple for councils to display individual rates notices and other bills via their websites including archives with records dating back up to 15 months. The system also accepts secure online payments and through the BPAY View system, rates notices and other items can also be displayed and paid within a residents regular Internet banking service.
With the CommSecure online platform, councils can provide a wide range of payment options to ratepayers including phone (IVR), Internet (payments, electronic billing and BPAY View), direct debit and over-the-counter payments. These services are provided via CommSecures three main e-business solutions: PaySecure, BillSecure and DDRSecure (details below).
Local councils implementing CommSecure solutions typically use email to notify registered residents that they have received a rates notice or other bill. The ratepayer then visits the councils website or enters BPAY View to securely view and pay their invoice. Councils are also continuing to send paper copies of the notices and residents can still pay via cheque and other conventional means.
Over time, local government groups are expected to encourage residents to go completely electronic in order to reduce operational costs, reduce the environmental impact of paper-based billing and improve convenience.
The LGSA contract runs from September 2003 to August 2005.
About CommSecure:
CommSecure Limited (ASX:CMS) is a technology and services company providing comprehensive e-business solutions to corporate, government and other clients in Australia, Asia and the U.S.. Established in 1998, CommSecure is among Australias leading ecommerce specialists with solutions that include: PaySecure (Australias most complete e-payments gateway service); BillSecure (electronic bill payment and presentment); MarketSecure (online share trading and financial markets systems); and HostSecure (specialist Internet hosting). It also captures and manages Direct Debit Request forms via its DDRSecure service and provides sophisticated Web Development and Technical Consulting services. See www.commsecure.com