You’ve likely heard by now that the latest Executive Order aims to phase out paper-based payments across all federal agencies by September 30, 2025. This significant policy shift clearly forecasts the future of payments – and the way forward is digital. 

While the Federal Government is leading the charge, local governments need to consider whether or not they’re ready to follow suit. 

Not only are paperless payments largely preferred nationwide (our State of Online Payments report shows that only 4% of Americans surveyed prefer to write checks for bill payments), but local governments stand to gain substantial benefits from this transition. By embracing paperless billing and payments, local governments can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, improve security, and provide better customer service. 

How Can Local Governments Embrace Paperless Billing and Payments? 

Start by evaluating your current billing and payment system. If it can’t adequately support your team’s goals, it’s time to consider what you need to reduce paper-based billing and payments. 

Here’s how you’ll want to proceed: 

1. Find and implement an easy-to-use digital payment solution. 
2. Train your staff. 
3. Educate your customers. 

This might seem like an overwhelming undertaking. That’s why InvoiceCloud provides the essential support local governments need to make this transition seamless, from updating your payment processing systems to training and driving payer adoption. 

There are a few areas we focus on to be the best possible partner for billing organizations. 

Digital Payments for Everyone 

InvoiceCloud is dedicated to making payments easier for everyone, including those on the margins of digital payments. Our mission is to provide truly effortless bill payments to everyone, regardless of their comfort level or access to technology. 

We accomplish this by offering a range of adoption-boosting features that cater to the diverse needs of individuals, like multiple payment type options, guest checkout, AutoPay, and personalized communication.   

Our solution is also designed for maximum ease of use, specifically to encourage customers to choose digital payments and enroll in paperless billing. 

A great example is the success of The Villages, a community with a predominantly 55+ customer base, which achieved an impressive 77% digital adoption rate after implementing InvoiceCloud.  

Cost Reduction 

Every minute and dollar saved counts when it comes to billing and payments. The annual cost for most organizations to print and mail paper bills can be up to $6 an invoice. But thanks to guest checkout, AutoPay and paperless capabilities, and personalized communication reminders through InvoiceCloud, you’ll be on your way to slashing call center inquiries, disconnect/reconnect fees, and print and mail expenses in no time.  

In fact, our solutions cut billing-related operational costs by 25%, resulting in tremendous impact for our billers. Truckee Meadows Water Association saved $500,000 through a successful paperless billing initiative with InvoiceCloud. 

When we zoom out, the savings are even more impressive. Over the last 12 months, InvoiceCloud customers have collectively saved $60.7M through paperless billing. 

Ease of Implementation 

One common hold up for switching EBPP providers is the sheer undertaking of the implementation. Our implementation team’s expertise is based on successful experiences with thousands of customers. You’re one step closer to your paperless goals with a dedicated team of implementation experts to provide guidance and make sure all deadlines are met. 

Plus, our 150+ proven integrations with a range of Customer Information Systems provide seamless connections for better end-to-end user experience and smoother reconciliations. 

“We now offer customers everything they want, all in one place, making payments easier than ever,” said Sharon Whaley, Director of Customer Service at San Jose Water. “Thanks to Oracle and InvoiceCloud’s joint solution and dedicated implementation teams, all deadlines and goals were met with the exceptional collaboration of all parties involved.” 

Peace of Mind 

Check fraud is becoming more common, with banks issuing about 680,000 reports of check fraud in 2022 – nearly double the number from 2021. Paperless bills and digital payments reduce this risk, which in turn lowers the chances of identity theft and compromised payment information. 

Our true SaaS infrastructure does more than drive this digital adoption, it also reduces IT and finance billing-related manual processes by 50%. Make it easier for IT and finance teams to reclaim their time with simplified workflows, advanced integrations, managed upgrades, enhanced exception handling, and automated reconciliation processes. 

“Following a data breach, we had a critical need for a system that provided the highest level of security,” Petra Trevino, Customer Service Manager for the City of San Angelo. “InvoiceCloud delivered exactly that, helping us restore trust in digital payments, while creating efficiencies to devote extra attention to security and other top priorities”

Ongoing Partnership 

InvoiceCloud’s partnership with customers extends well beyond implementation. We offer hands-on user training with instructional classes, platform testing, and learning resources for easier onboarding.  

We also provide a digital library filled with free, downloadable, and customizable content to build awareness and encourage digital payments among your customers. These adoption growth services provide continuous support beyond implementation, to make sure you are getting the most out of your digital payment solution and driving adoption within your community. 

With these extended services the City of Roseville launched a 90% successful paperless enrollment initiative, which drove over 9,000 customers to sign up for digital billing and resulted in cost savings of over $100,000. 

Cut Costs, Boost Productivity, Improve Customer Experience with InvoiceCloud 

Say goodbye to excessive billing costs and time-consuming implementations and maintenance, and hello to a smarter, more effective way to manage your billing and payments with InvoiceCloud. 

Let’s talk now to get you on the path to cutting costs, increasing team efficiency, and empowering your customers with a better payments solution.