Proposal

Recomendations

Elizabethtown Gas are trying to implicate new ideas in cost saving for their customers being that winter becomes more volatile.  New cost saving ideas will benefit help Elizabethtown Gas as a company and save a ton of money for the customers instead of paying a high monthly bill.  As for billing, the software is weak and out of date and should be replaced.  We are in 2014, technology is used everywhere so why not have a mobile app for customers to make their monthly payments.  Social media, such as twitter, instagram, facebook, or YouTube can be an asset as well to keep customers updated and reach to potential customers with their new company ideas or upcoming updates.

Petition

Elizabethtown Gas, a subsidiary of AGL Resources Inc., has filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to lower rates for residential natural gas customers.  The ideal cost reduction, which is to be effective Oct. 1, 2014, will reduce natural gas bills by an estimate of 10% next winter.

From the result of Elizabethtown Gas' Basic Gas Supply Services filing, the average monthly bill of a residential customer who uses 100 therms of gas per month would be lowered from $118.44 to $106.48, saving $11.96.  Elizabethtown Gas purchases gas supplies for their customers without a profit, and makes back the money through the BGS rate, which is adjusted annually to mirror changes in market conditions.  Elizabethtown Gas took the extra step to reduce the cost of gas by expanding its supply purchases to customers from the full effect of winter conditions.

By providing these cost savings to the customers through the BGS rate, the value of gas supply assets can be maximized.  The one time fee will be issued to customers based on recent rate adjustments.  The refund will appear on the customer's bill as a reduction from the programs included in the Consolidated Adjustment charges.

Software Upgrade 

ETG's billing software is one of their weaknesses and should be improved.  The software user interface is out of date and needs to be replaced. A suggestion with the software is to upgrade it to Plug'n Pay.  Plug'n Pay is affordable and state of the art with user-friendly interface that can manage sales, inventory, and other business elements.  The software is easy to use and highly customizable.  The online billing system can be used to set up recurring subscription charges, allow payment plans and utilize several other unique payment options that will benefit the company and customers.

A mobile application for ETG can be helpful in cutting back time on using a computer.  ETG's billing is paperless right now, but an improvement can be done.  A mobile app that can be accessed by the customer anywhere with monthly payments, news, and what's going on in the community.  People rely on technology for almost anything, so an app will be perfect idea for the customer to do anything with the touch of their finger.

Social Media

Everybody in today's society uses social media for almost anything.  Twitter, facebook, instagram, or YouTube are all being used by millions of people.  Using these social media can be a strong asset in advertising, keep their customers with updates of the company, pictures of what the company's projections on weather could be for a certain day or helpful tips on how to save energy while using their service.