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What utility billing/CIS software should actually do in 2027
Modern utility billing/CIS software should do more than calculate charges and send bills. Here are seven things utilities should expect in 2027, including better connections between meter data, payments, field work, customer service, and routine billing processes.
Cybersecurity After the Attack: What Utilities Can Do Now to Protect Their Systems
Cyberattacks targeting water systems across multiple states are giving utilities a reason to act. What water leaders can do now to protect their systems—before the next cyber incident.
Part 2: Eye (of the Tiger) on Cybersecurity—5 Questions Utilities Need to Ask Now
The 5 questions that can help your utility find its eye (of the tiger) before the next match with cyber attackers.
Part 1: Eye (of the Tiger) on Cybersecurity—5 Questions Utilities Need to Ask Now
The 5 questions that can help your utility find its eye (of the tiger) before the next match with cyber attackers.
Water Systems Are Under Attack. What Comes Next for Utility Cybersecurity?
A series of cyber attacks on dozens of water systems across several states wasn’t a crisis—this time. But it was a stark warning that utilities must prioritize infrastructure that’s both smart and secure.
Four Ways Advanced Metering Helps Protect Water Quality (HINT: It’s About More Than Billing)
August is National Water Quality Month! United Systems is looking at how advanced metering (AMI) can help support, and even protect, water quality in your service area.
How Cellular AMI improves utility resilience during severe weather
Severe weather can disrupt the communications infrastructure utilities depend on. Cellular AMI gives utilities more options for maintaining connectivity, visibility, and operational awareness before, during, and after a storm.
What Keeps an Itron AMI Project on Track?
An Itron AMI deployment involves far more than installing meters. Utilities must coordinate teams, data, vendors, integrations, testing, training, and customer expectations. United Systems provides practical project support that keeps responsibilities clear, resolves issues early, and helps utilities move from installation into stable daily operations.
How can utilities prepare for El Niño now?
Utilities need to prepare now for a building El Niño. This article lays out the practical checklist utilities can follow ahead of potentially disruptive, even dangerous weather impacts.
How will El Niño impact utilities?
Utilities: are you ready for El Niño? The climate phenomenon is expected to bring disruptive, even dangerous, weather conditions into next year.
How Should Utility Billing Software Handle Complex Rate Structures?
Utility billing software should accurately apply complex rate structures, including tiered rates, seasonal rates, customer classes, fees, adjustments, and meter-based billing rules. The right system also makes calculations traceable, validates usage data, and helps utility staff explain charges clearly.
Turning Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk into Your Strongest Defense
United’s IT experts reveal the three principles every utility should keep in mind to strengthen what is both their biggest cybersecurity risk and defense: their people.
Postage Is Going Up. Again. Now What?
USPS postage rates are increasing again on July 12, 2026. This article explains what the increase means for utility billing costs and how United Systems’ Utility Process Management (UPM) can help utilities reduce manual print-and-mail work while supporting paperless billing options.
7 Signs Your Utility Needs Better Billing Software
Learn seven signs your utility may need better billing software, from manual data entry and billing errors to disconnected systems, slow reporting, and limited integrations.
Gas AMI Still Starts with Billing. It Shouldn’t Stop There.
Gas AMI should not stop at billing. While accurate reads, fewer estimates, and reduced truck rolls remain valuable, modern gas AMI also gives utilities better operational awareness through alarms, on-demand reads, usage patterns, remote capabilities, and faster insight when something looks abnormal.
Ready to reduce friction across operations?
Coordinate billing, payments, customer service, metering, work orders, and operational workflows through utility-focused technology and support services. Talk with our team to learn how United Systems supports utilities through technology, operational services, metering, customer service, and workflow management.