Doña Ana County

Challenge
Dona Ana County Utilities (DACU) was created as the result of installing several wastewater collection systems throughout the Doña Ana County to serve small communities and colonias that have water utility service from different, local mutual domestic water groups. Wastewater service is currently provided to approximately 240 connections, but the system is being constructed to allow service to 6,200 connections. DACU established user charges and needed a billing and collection system with a user registry to bill, collect, and monitor money owed for utility service.

Solutions
TMG provided a business case analysis where 4 alternate scenarios were analyzed: legacy systems using existing software that is heavily customized, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products developed and sold specifically for utility billing, outsourcing to service companies, and using existing systems. The report evaluated, compared, and summarized data for each alternative.

Based upon a point system summary, the report recommended the COTS alternative which would use Doña Ana County’s centralized IT system and provide an existing network with secure controls for access by DACU employees. Anticipating rapid growth, DACU required an internal billing and collection system that would provide information to managers to ensure adequate funds for debt payments.

Results
An RFP was released to four product vendors. Based on the evaluation by TMG and DACU, AMX International was selected to provide its AMX Utiligy software and a fast track CIS implementation. Utiligy was implemented in the first quarter of 2004.