Another strength is BillCast's modular architecture, which allows high-volume billers to add functionality as needed. On the downside, BillCast's development, configuration, and integration can be complex, as the system lacks wizards to simplify the process. In addition, the system's platform support is limited to Sun Solaris only. Overall, it's a capable solution that could be greatly improved through reduced complexity.

BillerXpert 1.0
Within the CommerceXpert suite of packaged applications for E-commerce, the Sun-Netscape Alliance now offers a component called BillerXpert. The product is built on top of the Netscape Application Server, which brings great scalability and reliability to the solution. In addition, the CommerceXpert server layer provides a common framework for all of a company's E-commerce applications.

The system offers reasonably good capabilities, although it will likely require the integration of third-party tools for certain functions such as data extraction. The system is open and flexible for this type of integration. However, development and customization in BillerXpert is highly complex, requiring Java programming.

Overall, BillerXpert is particularly attractive for companies that already use the CommerceXpert product line and would like to add E-billing to their larger E-commerce initiatives. Companies that implement BillerXpert can expect a highly flexible system that, in its current version, requires considerable development resources and expertise to deploy.

PaySense 2.6
PaySense from TriSense is a messaging-based bill delivery system. With PaySense, billers can generate electronic bills, which the TriSense "electronic post office" securely delivers to customers' in-boxes via E-mail. PaySense is a two-way system that can securely handle customer payments in a variety of formats, and can integrate with existing billing and remittance infrastructures.

From a customer standpoint, PaySense provides a wealth of helpful features similar to a personal financial-management software package. In fact, PaySense can act as a customer-focused consolidator, delivering all of a user's bills to the same in-box (assuming all the billers use PaySense for presentment).

While PaySense's messaging-based approach provides advantages in terms of secure delivery, it also requires users to install client software; no browser-based interface is currently available. However, until the system fully embraces the Web and removes the burden on the client to install and maintain software, its opportunity for widespread adoption is limited.

Jeetu Patel is VP of research, Pat Turocy is a senior analyst, and Joe Fenner is a senior technical writer with Doculabs, a technology advisory firm. Doculabs can be reached at info@doculabs.com.

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