Westport customers can check their billings anywhere and anytime with this new electronic system.

THE advent of commercial use in the Internet has changed the mode of financial transaction. The creation, of electronic billing is to boost and eventually replace paper- based billing and to improve payment cycles. The foremost feature of this innovation is convenience besides timeliness, cost savings and reliability.

To boost its value-added service, Westport moves forward in using information technology (IT) and web technologies into its business.

One example is E-billing. Westport E-billing is a custom-made system that caters to customers to streamline and improve the billing services.

E-billing is one module that appears in the port's electronic submission and tracking link, WestportLINK. The advantage of this new mode of billing is that customers can log on to www.westportlink.com.my to view their bills anywhere and anytime.

As a multi-terminal, E-billing is extended to conventional and containers clients. Container customers can view and receive bills on services and charges such as terminal handling charges, reefer, special service requests (SSR) and storage.

Meanwhile, charges such, as marine charges, wharfage, stevedorage and other terminal-related charges are programmed to be received by customers.

The main function of E-billing is to enable customers to view invoices, credit notes, ,statements and balance of payments. There are three main modules of E-billing: invoice, statement and message modules.

Invoices module
- Daily update of invoices raised
- View, print and save invoices' to Excel .

Statement module
- Daily update of status of account
- View, print, save to Excel and download latest statement of accounts
- View and print credit notes

Message module - Direct messaging system between client and Westport

The modules allow customers to view their billing history and to avoid late payments. If there is a dispute or further clarification is needed on the charges or billings, customers can contact the finance department through the message module. All the modules of the E-billing are downloadable and printer friendly.

To avoid customers facing problems, as they are new to the system, the Westport Finance Department has set up a team to travel to the customer's premise to help them familiarize ,with the system. As a result, many of the port's customers have latched on the E-billing system, taking advantage of its convenience and efficiency.

The NST, 26.9.2005