The municipal billing system will be demonstrated to accounting staff from municipalities at a seminar being held specifically for them in Harare on Thursday next week by Pastel Software Zimbabwe.

The billing system is built onto Pastel Evolution, an accounting software package already used widely in Zimbabwe.

The municipal billing system interfaces with and updates all billing data directly into Pastel Evolution. It updates both the consumer and general ledger accounts.

Municipalities in South Africa that have adopted the billing system have found that it takes them to a new level.

Its ability to create treasury reports, including a summary of rebates, charges based on customer category and an analysis of debtors according to income, has made it easier for them to comply with new legislation which requires them to comply with generally recognised accounting requirements at treasury level,

The system provides a billing and accounting solution that delivers essential operational information.

It makes regular billing at predetermined intervals easier. There is provision for rates billing, refuse billing and other billing categories.

Customers can be put into different categories. The system can handle consumption billing and fixed charges, as well as flexible tariff structures for both.

Pastel Software Zimbabwe managing director Rob Watson says the municipal billing system can change the way a municipality does business, in the same way as Pastel Evolution, into which the billing module is integrated, is able to transform a business.

“Pastel Evolution delivers an entirely new dimension in business management software that brings all aspects of an organisation’s operating environment together, providing an integrated, holistic view of the business.

“The comprehensive range of features and add-on modules provides growing municipalities with  a scalable, flexible and robust management tool.

“The municipal billing system provides all the tools needed for a modern municipal billing system. Its database management tool makes it easy to manage information and ensure bills are correct and issued on time,” Mr Watson said.

The Pastel Evolution Accounting core module comes with invoicing, inventory control, report writer and stationery customisation, accounts receivable, accounts payable, project tracking, cash book and sales and purchase order entry, among other features.

Add-on modules include business intelligence centre (reporting), linked accounts, procurement, customer relationship management, credit risk management and annuity billing.

With Pastel Evolution, Mr Watson said, municipalities can improve the efficiency of their accounting and billing systems systems, print bills, receipt payments and create reports for treasury, as well as analyse data. The system can be adapted to suit the specific requirements of individual municipalities. 

“More effective billing and accounting systems help change the way a town or city council does business. It makes life easier for accounts and treasury staff. It improves relationships with customers by providing them with accurate bills that come out on time. It helps contribute to the image of an efficient town or city council,” Mr Watson said.