MEA launched a mobile app, MEA Smart Life, last August. Currently, its 3 million customers can scan a barcode or QR code from this app at a counter to make their payments. From the end of this year, “they will not even need to go to a counter, instead, they can pay their electricity bills [directly] via the mobile app,” said Chingchai, Director of Application System Development Department, MEA.
The payment will be made through the mobile operator, and in the future, customers can choose to pay using their credit cards, Chingchai added.
Bangkok’s services have come a long way - just a year ago the billing process was manual and rather inefficient. “Before the launch of the app, residents and businesses will receive printed bills only by mail. Our customers then presented the paper bill at the counter to make payment,” he explained.
Customers who choose to continue making payments over the counters can search for payment locations using the MEA Smart Life app. “Instead of just providing a list of locations, the app takes a step further by using the user’s current location to find the nearest payment counter,” said Chingchai.
The app also helps customers navigate to the nearest counter using “GIS-enabled augmented reality” - the user just needs to hold up his or her smartphone and an overlay with directions to the counter will appear on top of a real-time video feed of the streets and buildings, he said.
“Moreover, it uses GIS-enabled augmented reality to help customers navigate to the nearest counter. The customer just needs to hold up his or her smartphone and computer-generated signs will be imposed over the real-time video feed of the streets and buildings to guide the customer to the counter,” he said.
App users can also report a power outage by taking a photo - of a damaged electricity pole, for example - and submit it via the app. MEA receives this photo with a location tag, and is able to improve its response time to fix the problem.
MEA is one of the winners of the Esri’s Special Achievement in GIS Award. Chingchai will be receiving the award tomorrow at the 35th annual Esri User Conference in San Diego, USA.
Other GIS articles from the Esri User Conference:
- GIS is more important than ever to solve today’s world challenges - Esri President
- Singapore government showcases 3D urban mapping on latest commercial district
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Kelly Ng
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 16.07.2014
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