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Optimise Revenue sIncreasingly, gas, and electricity utilities areturning to prepayment systems forenhanced revenue management andcustomer service. Such systems havebecome a key element in the newstrategies utilities are defining to moveforward in ever-more deregulatedenvironments. The customer has theopportunity to control consumption andaccess value-added services, while theutility optimises revenues.

Actaris has developed the TaleXus Vendorsystem, a prepayment solution withvalue-added services for enhanced

customer loyalty.

Functional as a stand-alone operation orintegrateable into the utilitys existinginfrastructure, the Talexus Vendor system isscalable, flexible and provides enhancedversatility.

The TaleXus Vendor is the worlds firstmulti-energy revenue collection system. Aproduct of our 15 years of leadership inthe development of prepayment systems, itoffers a unique solution for gas andelectricity using micro-processorSmartcard technology.

Talexus VendorLeading the evolution of prepayment solutions

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Satisfy CustomersFor over 15 years, more than 2.3 millioncustomers worldwide benefit from theadvantages offered by the Actaris TaleXusrange of prepayment solutions. They haveindicated a very high degree of satisfaction,with 90% customer appreciation.

Maximise VersatilityThe TaleXus Vendor System represents morethan 15 years of continuous development.Our experience has enabled us to addversatility and functionality that are unrivaled.- One-system platform for multiple-energy

revenue management- New services including extended tariff

schemes and loyalty programs- Operational flexibility leading to maximum

investment efficiency and best possibleReturn on Investment

- Easily scalable from stand-alone to a fullclient/server architecture, enabling the

management of several million customers- Improved service options including

snapshot meter readings, subscribed powerand no-disconnection

- Temporary user solution for vacationhomes, student accomodation etc.

- Full remote change of tenancymanagement, no need for costly visits tothe consumer

Target Customer Need- Actaris Lifeline: alternative to disconnection- Allow expenditure control and budgeting

using flexible tariff options, and no end ofperiod bills to pay

- Provide extended data to help reduce utilitybills

- Improve safety through features such asleak and overflow protection

- No need for meter reading visits

End-to-End SolutionTaleXus Vendor is an open architecturesystem comprising three levels:

The Central Management System (CMS)The Point Of Sale (POS)The Point Of Delivery (POD)

At the CMS, a database server storesinformation on customers, tariffs, vendingnetworks, meter configuration &management and meter readings. Mutlipleusers can access the database server in realtime via Local and Wide Area Networks toperform administrative and financial taskssuch as account and customer-tokenmanagement, tariff management, meterconfiguration and financial reporting. Userscan also perform electricity and gas vending.

The flexible architecture of the system allowsfor the addition of POS and Polling Engineterminals as requested to meet customerdemand and expansion. There are no set

limits to the number of POS that can bemanaged by a CMS.

A polling engine manages two-waycommunication between the CMS databaseand the POS. Many hundreds of POS unitscan be deployed over a large geographicalarea via PSTN, LAN or ISDN networks.

At the Point Of Sale, the customer is issued aSmartcard that can be loaded with credit.

The POS also transfers the tariff and/ormeter configuration information to thecustomers card. Meter readings are passedfrom the POD to the token and subsequentlyto the POS every time a transaction takesplace.

PayGuard attachment

System Components &FunctionsPayGuard SmartcardDesigned to operate with Actaris DINstandard meters SL16, SM1 single phaseand B/C114 and MC3 three-phase, thePayGuard can be adapted to work with anymeter having a DIN ISO 43864 standardpulse output.

Functions include:- Flexible tariff options- Snapshot meter reading- Limited power consumption (not available

for gas)- Contractual power management- Self decommissioning- Change of currency- Emergency credit- Lifeline no-disconnection- Debt collection

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TaleXus Vendor System Architecture Gallus 2002

System Components &FunctionsGallus 2002Based on Gallus 2000 metrology, theGallus 2002 features a new prepaymentmodule which offers an innovative suite offunctions that are compatible withPayGuard Smartcard.

Additional functions include:- Safety and security features such as leak

and overflow protection- Anti-fraud alarms (cover open, short-

circuit detection, etc.)

The POS offers a user-friendly graphicinterface that provides customer receipts foreach transaction and generates sales reportsboth electronically and in paper format.

At the Point Of Delivery, the PayGuardSmartcard and Gallus 2002 are the latestinnovations in electricity and gas prepaymenttechnology.

The PayGuard Smartcard attachment isdesigned for use with DIN standard metersand offers considerable flexibility providing asecure and economic token-basedprepayment facility. An innovative new suiteof functions includes decommissioning,power limitation, load control and complextariffs.

The Gallus 2002 metering component of thethe Gallus 2002 is one of our most broadlyused gas meters with more than 15 millioninstallations worldwide. The newly designed

prepayment technology module inheritsthose innovative customer appealing

functions from the PayGuard Smartcard.CustomisationThe TaleXus Vendor System can becustomised to meet individual customerrequirements for systems configuration,reporting, language and currency. Forexample, currency values can be convertedto accomodate devaluation or change.

Quality StandardThe TaleXus Vendor System is developed inour facility at Felixstowe in the UK. The sitehas been approved in accordance withISO9001 ensuring best practices arefollowed during development, testing andproduction of all TaleXus products.

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Database server a database stores customer, meter, tariff and vending network information

managed by Oracle 8

Polling Engine manages the communication between the central database and the POS via PSTN

network

Client Application the clients connect to the database server to perform tasks such as data, revenue

and meter management

Report Engine a report generator based on Crystal Reports that allows financial, customer,

meter management and POS reports, etc.

The CMS is designed for installationand operation in the head office ofthe utility

Account managementMeter managementTariff managementVending network managementReport managementSystem administrationCommunication management

Designed for installtion at petrolstations, supermarkets and othervending sites

Credit customer tokensIssue and replace customertokenRead customer tokenCredit refundTransaction reversalPOS administration

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CMS Screen

POS Screen

Central Management System (CMS)

TaleXus Vendor POS application: single or mul tiple energy configuration

Smartcard programmers

Security authentication card

Hardware: PC minimum requirement 300 Mhz, 128 M RAM, 3 GB HD, 2 comports, 1 internal modem

Database: Oracle 8

Point Of Sale (POS) Components

CMS Functions POS Functions

Actaris UK LtdLanger Road, Felixstowe

Suffolk, IP11 2ER - Engla ndFor more information, see www.actaris.com

t e l +44 1394 69 40 00fax +44 1394 27 60 30