ABSTRACT
The following chapters examine electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) models, technologies, and solutions in greater detail. In some cases, it may be difficult to differentiate whether statements, bills, or invoices are presented. As far as possible, the following definitions are followed:
Statement: an itemized listing of purchases, sales, and other activities for a specific account and a specific time period; differs from an invoice or bill in that it does not constitute a request for payment, although it typically specifies an amount due
Bill: an itemized account of the separate cost of goods sold, services performed, or work done; an amount expended or owed; a request for payment
Invoice: an itemized account of goods shipped, usually specifying the price and the terms of sale; a consignment of merchandise; a request for payment
Statistics for expected savings and additional predicted revenues are invaluable in justifying investments into EBPP processes and tools. Unfortunately, the numbers differ greatly by geographical area and by industry. Instead of offering hard numbers to the reader, the following important metrics are presented and recommended:
Volume of Internet commerce in targeted areas Number of Internet users in targeted areas Number of households in targeted areas Number of online households in targeted areas Number of issuers of statements, bills, and invoices by industry and by
geographical area Number of recurring bills in targeted areas
Price of issuing and distributing paper-based statements, bills, and invoices by industries in targeted areas
Percentage of issuers offering electronic presentment, electronic payment, or both
Number of direct billers, consolidators, aggregators, and billing service providers in targeted areas
Market share of B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) by industries in targeted areas
Number of statements, bills, and invoices received monthly by average households and businesses
Market research can identify the right investment targets on behalf of issuers of statements, bills, and invoices.
