Word’s getting out about one of the oilpatch's highest-impact, yet lowest-profile success stories: Utility Network & Partners, more informally known as UTILITYnet.

Since the launch of deregulation in Alberta’s electricity industry. these folks have created a buzz in a hurry. Such a hurry, in fact, that managing partners Madeline Low and Nick Clark haven’t had the time to get business cards printed.

They have been preoccupied in building a company that has grown 10-fold over the last couple of years.

"Our business has been entirely word of mouth," smiled Mr. Clark. "Not that many people know who we are – except our clients."

Managing partners Nick Clark and Madeline Low count big players in the oilpatch among their satisfied clients.

And a glance at UTILITYnet's client list reveals the cream of oilpatch bluebloods: Conoco, BP, Shell, TCP, Chevron, Duke, Imperial Oil, Husky and Coral, among others including many customers in other industries.

UTILITYnet is a company that truly came into its own once the Alberta government introduced full deregulation of the electrical power industry last year.

UTILITYnet is not a retailer of energy but rather a software house that offers one-stop back office energy management and billing services to large and medium-sized corporations, whether they operate in a regulated or deregulated environment.

These are industrial businesses that purchase power for their own use as Self-Retailers, as well as those that retail power to others.

Clients of UTILITYnet systems gain access to a complete suite of software packages that manage data relating to load settlement, automated bill-payment processing, energy management and greenhouse gas emission reporting.

"Deregulation is working well in Alberta," enthused Mr. Clark. "But too many companies haven't learned how to take advantage of the benefits of the open market."

That's where UTILITYnet comes in. This elite team of outsource service providers will help your company maximize returns by helping it minimize costs.

UTILITYnet systems manage your risk and eliminate billing errors.

UTILITYnet lifts a major burden from your shoulders and helps you put more money in the bank.

"The whole thing is an exercise in taking something complex and making it simple," Mr. Clark said. "When you go online to use our systems, you go to one single button. A single click of the 'Go' button on our website (www.UTILITYnet.net) gives the customer access to their data, reassembled in a report format."

Once that button is activated, the system automatically loads. It performs validation checks, controls security and delivers real-time information – everything the customer needs to know to manage risk and make informed purchasing decisions.

"It makes so much sense for our clients to outsource. They receive timely delivery of accurate data," said Mr. Clark. "And they also have access to a detailed audit trail to ensure that their shareholders are properly protected."

UTILITYnet has been marketing its core software product (the post-billing validation system known as Electrical Power Supervision System, or EPSS) since 1988. Clients have saved millions of dollars in finding and eliminating billing errors made by utilities.

But this isn't the kind of team to stand still. The company's gifted R&D group has continued to develop new and complementary programs to broaden the service path to UTILITYnet customers.

One such application, developed jointly by UTILITYnet and BP, was dubbed GreenReport.

This system is used to calculate, monitor and manage both direct and indirect CO2 emissions. (With Canadian ratification of the Kyoto Accord on the horizon, this terrific software package reached the market in the nick of time, and today GreenReport is being used by Talisman and EnCana.)

Capitalizing on the core competencies of the group, UTILITYnet expanded outside the energy market. In 2000, a sister company called SeE Consulting, with Clark as the chairman, was launched, focusing on providing software consulting and programming services with offices today in London, New Delhi, Bangalore and Calgary. Offshore clients of SeE include the WTO and EPSON in Asia. In Alberta: Aquila and Workwell.

Then, when deregulation became a fact of Alberta life in 2001, UTILITYnet was quick to pounce on this new market opportunity by developing an application Mr. Clark and Ms. Low call RISS – Retail Invoice Settlement System.

Metered data from operating sites is staged, filtered, aggregated and profiled via RISS prior to loading for online web access by the customer.

This new tool has become the system of choice and de-facto standard in Alberta. Today, 40 per cent of the aggregate electrical load purchased by industrial customers in Alberta is being processed by RISS.

"It's because we keep things simple while providing a wide range of service and making sure every invoice balances to the penny," said Mr. Clark.

The latest service to emerge from UTILITYnet is a program called SUNJI Reports. It's best described as an integrated energy management service, incorporating leading load management and budget-analysis tools for use by operational and strategic business managers.

To take advantage of UTILITYnet's array of services, call 403.244.7299. Outside Calgary, call toll-free number: 1.866.244.7299. Or visit www.UTILITYnet.net.