Direct Energy Deploys First Data Utilities' Peace 8 CIS

Direct Energy, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers, has upgraded to First Data Utilities' Peace® 8 Customer Information System (CIS) to manage more than 1 million retail electricity and gas customers -- both residential and commercial -- in Ontario, Canada.

With over 5 million customer relationships across North America, Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. With operations across Canada, Texas and the northeastern United States, Direct Energy delivered $7.6 billion USD of energy and energy-related services to residential and commercial customers in 2006.

Direct Energy has operated the Peace CIS software product since 2000. The latest version, Peace 8, incorporates hundreds of new features and enhancements and reflects a particular focus on process improvement to lower utility customer cost-to-serve.

"The implementation of Peace 8 enhances our ability to quickly respond to our customers while providing an advantage over competitors with less sophisticated customer information systems," said Kumud Kalia, CIO and EVP, Customer Operations, Direct Energy.

Chris Warrington, president, First Data Utilities, said, "Since its introduction, the Peace CIS has been at the forefront of commercial off-the-shelf utility CIS, and Direct Energy's smooth upgrade to Peace 8 is testament to the Peace CIS's proven upgrade path, which enables utilities to stay current with technology and features without the costs and risks of customized systems."