Credit Intelligence

In simple terms the Credit Intelligence solution is about turning data into knowledge and knowledge into action. It does away with the traditional business driven approach to revenue management and instead builds a new practice which is driven by a deep understanding of customer behaviour. To do this, Credit Intelligence takes the science of predictive analytics and uses it to deliver the best practice approach to revenue management and collections. The techniques, processes and systems used in the solution help utilities to:

  • Reduce cost to serve
  • Deliver customer service according to need
  • Reduce bad debt
  • Improve collection rates
  • Increase employee satisfaction

The Credit Intelligence Portal is a unique service from Echo which provides valuable insight into revenue management performance and customer behaviour.

Credit Intelligence Portal

What is Predictive Analytics?

Predictive analytics encompasses the following:

  • A variety of statistical and data mining techniques
  • Analysis of historical and transactional data on customer behaviour
  • Identification of relationships between variables
  • Evidence and probabilities to support decision-making

The principles and practices of predictive analytics are well proven and have been established and refined over decades; being used by many industries in a variety of fields. Perhaps most relevant is the way in which financial services companies have used the techniques to develop the accuracy and scope of credit scoring. Insurance services have also refined the tools and practices in order to predict a customer's propensity to make a claim and consumer buying behaviour is predicted using similar technology in the retail sector. Utility companies have already used predictive analytics techniques to help asset management plans and predict where and when infrastructure may need replacing.

Why Credit Intelligence from Echo?

Echo's research into the topic and experience of working with UK water companies has identified an opportunity to deliver a step-change improvement in revenue management performance.

So why is Echo the company best placed to deliver this?

Firstly, we believe that, from our many years of working in long term relationships with utilities, we have unrivalled knowledge and understanding of what can be predictive information for utility providers - ie. 'what information can be used to predict behaviour'. Secondly, the solution which Echo has put together enables utilities to benchmark their performance against peers and to 'test' strategies and scenarios using the combined experiences of other utilities.



Echo asked Accent to talk to income and collections managers within the water industry and explore how policies and practices will cope with the debt problem beyond PR'09. The results show that, whilst the industry manages much of its revenue management and collection activity extremely effectively, there is no room for complacency if the challenges beyond PR'09 are to be met.

Utilities can receive a free copy of the report on the results of the survey. Find out more about it here or register your interest in receiving the report by completing this form.