KMART PLANS TO AUTOMATE UTILITY ACCOUNTING, MANAGEMENT

PATRICK SCIACCA

TROY, Mich. -- Kmart here is planning to automate utility accounting and management with new software to be installed after the New Year in an effort to streamline its energy-management process.

"What we did before was manual, this is automating the bill-paying process," said spokeswoman Teresa Stephens of the new software, which will not be installed until the year 2000.

The client-server-based utility-management application allows multiple users to access utility-cost and -usage information at the same time.

The new software, called EQ Network, from Illinova Energy Partners, Oak Brook, Ill., will be used by the retailer to manage the energy costs at more than 2,000 locations by identifying savings opportunities and supporting energy decisions, according to a source familiar with the situation.

When the installation is complete, the software should integrate energy-purchasing, facilities-management, utility-management and accounting functions.

Currently, the retailer is downloading its energy information database in preparation for the software's installation, noting that the software is being implemented without bottom-line savings in mind.

"There are no projected savings," Stephens told SN. "It's more to benefit the accounting process. This isn't about cost savings."

The software allows multiple users to see the utility data and collaborate on energy-cost control.