The national broadcaster, with radio stations in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, is currently piloting a project designed to take the back room function of accounts receivables and put it into the hands of customers, unlocking new efficiencies and cost savings along the way.

  Austereo has purchased an integrated solution comprising CommSecure’s BillSecure e-billing and payment management solution, the PaySecure secure payments gateway and DDRSecure direct debit management and payment solution.

  Kym Rawnsley, Austereo’s Group Manager – Receivables, said the radio group is very advanced when it comes to implementing new technology and has a clear vision of where it wants to go.

  “At Austereo, we always want to be at the forefront of technology. We want to use it both to improve efficiency and to ensure that it’s easy for advertisers and their creative agencies to do business with us,” he explained.

  Austereo first articulated its desire to deliver invoices electronically back in 2001 but couldn’t find anyone capable of doing it.  One of its partners introduced Austereo to CommSecure 18 months ago. “Since then we’ve been workshopping not only how to deliver invoices online, but a whole web-based management system with extensive self-service capabilities for customers,” he said.

  CommSecure is working closely with Austereo to deliver Stage One of the project nationally by 1 July 2007, giving Austereo the ability to present its bills electronically, either by PDF or data feed, and offer limited payment facilities. Then from September, with the completion of Stage Two, customers will have much greater ability to manage their account online.

  “Not only will our customers be able to view and pay their accounts online 24 hours a day using a range of payment options, but they’ll be able to manage their account details, lodge and track payment queries and view their entire payment history with Austereo,” said Mr Rawnsley.

  “From our point of view, we’ll be able to automate a number of time-consuming processes, driving down costs and improving cash-flow by making payments easier.  At the same time, we’ll enhance our ability to track the status of our customer receivables at any given time and gain valuable insights into our customers’ buying habits.”

  Mr Rawnsley said the new solution will also give Austereo enormous flexibility in handling future acquisitions and integrating new systems into the e-billing solution.

  “We’ve requested a lot of customisation of the solution to meet our needs and will continue to work with CommSecure to develop it and incorporate new functionality over time.  ,” he said.

  For CommSecure, the Austereo project has opened the door to a whole new market and chief executive, Peter Townsley, said the company has embraced the opportunity to develop a solution for the media sector.

  “We’re investing substantial resources to design, develop and implement an e-billing portal that will allow Austereo to execute on its vision of having the most advanced billing and payment system in its industry.  Not only will these modifications enhance the overall functionality and usability of the solution for Austereo and its customers, but we recognise the future potential to take this solution to other companies with similar business models,” he said.