Meter to Cash (M2C) in Utility billing

 The Meter-to-Cash (M2C) process involves several stages to ensure accurate billing and efficient revenue collection. Here's a general overview of how M2C works in the context of utility billing:

1. Meter Reading: The process starts with collecting meter readings from customers' meters. This can be done manually by utility personnel visiting the site, or automatically through Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and smart meters that transmit data remotely.

2. Data Validation: Meter data is validated to ensure accuracy and completeness. This may involve checking for anomalies, outliers, or missing data.

3. Data Processing: Validated data is processed in the Meter Data Management System (MDMS). This includes data cleansing, aggregation, and transformation to prepare the data for billing.

4. Bill Calculation: The billing system calculates customer bills based on the processed meter data and applicable tariffs. This may involve complex calculations, such as time-of-use pricing or net metering for customers with renewable energy systems.

5. Bill Generation: The billing system generates invoices for customers, detailing their consumption, charges, and payment due dates.

6. Bill Delivery: Bills are delivered to customers through various channels, such as mail, email, or online portals.

7. Payment Collection: Customers make payments through various channels, such as online payments, bank transfers, or payment centers. The revenue management system tracks payments and reconciles them against outstanding bills.

8. Dunning and Disconnection: In case of non-payment, the revenue management system initiates dunning processes, such as sending reminders, late payment fees, or disconnection notices.

9. Reporting and Analysis: Reports are generated to monitor key performance indicators, such as billing accuracy, collection efficiency, and revenue assurance.

In terms of old and current meter readings, the difference between the two is used to calculate the consumption for the billing period. The previous reading, also known as the "old" or "last" reading, is subtracted from the current reading to determine the amount of electricity, gas, or water consumed during the billing cycle. This consumption is then multiplied by the applicable tariff to calculate the total charges for the billing period.