Tata Power Company (TPC) is gearing up for the big fight. With the Electricity Bill 2001 set to become an Act resulting in the opening up of the electricity market, the Mumbai-based power major is readying to make a big leap into retail distribution in the city.

Over the last financial year, TPC has added around 8,000 new consumers to its kitty, taking the total to 17,000 today. "We expect to cross 50,000 in one-and-a-half-years. Our growth will largely depend on how Maharashtra allows open access to electricity consumers in the state. We are ready at our end to take up the new challenges likely to be thrown up by the new Electricity Act," says TPC’s executive director, PK Kukde.

As part of its initiative, TPC, one of the country’s leading private power companies, has implemented an integrated automated system called the Industry Specific Components Utilities — Customer Care & Service (IS-U/CCS) module. "The new system is an extension of the existing SAP system in Mumbai, and it aims to enhance customer care and services, and billing activities," said Mr Kukde.

The company is looking for opportunities in retail distribution across the country, he said. "With the implementation of the new module, we will not only provide value-added services to our existing consumer base, but have a world-class infrastructure in place for our new customers," said Mr Kukde.

TPC’s general manager, NK Gupta, said a web-based system to connect all consumers with the company will be launched soon. "Any consumer of Tata Power can log on to the Net, and get all information regarding billing, and tariffs and metered units’ details," said Mr Gupta. "The new IS-U/CCS system can take care of a huge customer base — at least a million consumers in Mumbai. It is expected to bring in a lot of cost-saving for TPC as well," said Mr Gupta.

The officials claimed that the company has integrated its front-end customer centric business processes with its back-end administrative processes.

"The new system has an array of business-friendly features for the utility sector, including the capability of managing prospective customers, managing metering devices and other equipment, as well as handling and billing industrial, commercial and residential customers under a variety of flexible tariffs and schemes," says an official.