Zero Friction Pedia

Can an ERP system handle utility billing? Short answer: Yes. But most ERP systems were not designed specifically for utility billing. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software such as Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle, Unit4 and NetSuite is built to manage core business functions including finance, procurement, HR and asset management.

Digitalization in the energy world is moving at lightning speed. More and more heat suppliers are switching to e-invoicing via Peppol. But… what exactly is Peppol? And how do we make sure you hardly need to worry about it? In this blog, we'll explain it simply. 😉

Growth brings complexity, but with the right tools, it can also bring efficiency and innovation. If you’re looking to streamline your processes and stay ahead, it might be time to rethink your billing system.

Whether you're focused on businesses, consumers, or both, it is important to choose the right tools you need to handle both types of connections as effortlessly.

Can an ERP system handle utility billing? Short answer: Yes. But most ERP systems were not designed specifically for utility billing. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software such as Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle, Unit4 and NetSuite is built to manage core business functions including finance, procurement, HR and asset management.

The energy transition is well underway. Gas has to go, CO₂ has to come down, and homes need to be heated more sustainably. But if you look at how we are tackling this in Belgium, one thing stands out: we are trying to solve a collective problem with individual solutions. And that is where the friction lies.

As heat networks grow, managing consumption data, billing, and customer interactions becomes critical. Many heat network operators still rely on Excel, but spreadsheets quickly become inefficient as networks expand. Errors, slow invoicing, and poor customer visibility limit growth and compliance.

Digitalization in the energy world is moving at lightning speed. More and more heat suppliers are switching to e-invoicing via Peppol. But… what exactly is Peppol? And how do we make sure you hardly need to worry about it? In this blog, we'll explain it simply. 😉

Connecting a heat network is one thing. Giving residents the feeling that they are in control of their energy is another. And that is precisely where heat networks often fall short: the technology is in place and the network supplies heat, but the customer management behind it is often treated as the final piece rather than the starting point.

France is introducing one of Europe's most ambitious electronic invoicing programmes. From September 2026 onwards, companies will gradually be required to exchange invoices electronically and report transaction data directly to the French tax authorities.

As the UK heat network sector matures, technical assurance is becoming a central part of delivering reliable, efficient, and customer-focused heat networks. One of the key initiatives shaping this evolution is Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme, better known as HNTAS. But what does technical assurance actually mean in practice for heat network operators? And how does it impact day-to-day operations beyond engineering and infrastructure?

The UK heat network market is entering a new era of regulation. With Ofgem set to become the regulator for heat networks, operators are facing increasing pressure to improve transparency, customer protection, operational processes, and data quality. For many organisations, the challenge is no longer *whether* regulation is coming, but whether their network is operationally ready for it. At the same time, frameworks such as Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) are raising the bar for technical and operational standards across the industry. So what should heat network operators focus on today to prepare for tomorrow’s regulatory environment?