NIIT delivers financial solution to the DoP

With the implementation of its eBillSpace solution, NIIT recently announced the successful execution of a software project for India's Department of Posts (DoP). The innovative product called 'eBillPost', was launched by Pramod Mahajan, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, IT and Communications and will enable computerized post offices to act as integrated service centers. 

Through the launch of the product, citizens will now be able to pay bills from multiple Agencies at these post offices as they open up as hubs for collection and payment of electricity, phone and water bills, taxes and even credit card payments. 

NIIT's computerized Bill Presentment and Payment Platform-eBillSpace, enables DoP to accept these payments both off-line and on-line from citizens, and use the Internet to forward them to the relevant service providers. 

"This indigenous software from NIIT will make it easy for citizens to pay all the bills at Post Offices across the street, rather than make umpteen trips to various offices all over the city. The solution is built around NIIT developed technology engine to suit the needs of our customers," said BN Som, Secretary,
DoP.

The Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment System implemented by NIIT draws on NIIT's strengths in the e-commerce space particularly in the Finance and Banking segments. 

"The implementation of eBillSpace for DoP further consolidates NIIT's position as a premier IT solutions provider in the Financial vertical segment," said Arvind Thakur, Director and President NIIT Software Solutions. "The DoP project leverages NIIT's expertise in handling enterprise-wide solution roll outs. In the first phase, over 400 Post Offices, spread over four to five metros will be covered."

The project utilizes existing hardware and focuses on building software, training people, security, infrastructure assessment and integration with other systems. 

With this project, DoP is leveraging its key strength, as the largest 'collection organization' in the country. Apart from dealing with post, the DoP also collects and handles money transactions and with NIIT's eBillspace solution, the department will expand this capability even further. DoP could now tie up with the MTNL, BSNL, cellphone companies, life insurance organizations, among others to streamline the bill payment process for citizens. 

In its new role as consolidator, the DoP will receive money from citizens in the form of cash or cheques. At a later stage, subscribers will be able to get their bills remitted automatically as and when the Post Office receives them. The DoP offices could also act as collection centers for certain standard payments such as school and college fees through tie-ups with various educational institutions. 

Currently, over 2,000 Post Offices have been computerized and by year-end, over 4,000 Post Offices will be automated. The NIIT solution will over time cover the entire postal network. 

The DoP project for implementing the system and maintaining the application is expected to run for a period of six years. Already the DoP has tied up with principal asset management organizations IDBI and the Post Offices now sell the company's mutual funds, bonds, and other investment options. While currently the service is limited to a few Post Offices in the major metros, the aim is to extend it until it covers much of the country.