A modern utility management system needs a flexible tariff engine that supports different pricing models.
Advanced meters can track multiple registers, recording different usage types, time-of-use periods, or tariffs.
A clear, traceable supply point framework that links utilities to meters and occupants, ensuring efficiency in billing.
Multiple reading cycles per utility, ensuring accurate meter data collection, fair billing, and seamless reporting.
One of the challenges facing modern utility management is the complexity of tariffs and rate structures that are presented by the different supply authorities and the methods available to apply these to the billing of the individual consumers on directly metered utilities and also on shared utilities that are metered per utility and not per consumer.
To cater for this any modern solution must have the following:
Columbo has been designed, and is continuously evaluated and improved to cater to the above-mentioned challenges by implementing an effective and efficient tariff engine combined with an advanced but simple-to-use system for assigning Occupants with units and then these to metering devices and registers through direct or shared services with flexible and effective means of applying the different tariffs and rates.
Modern metering technologies often include meters capable of tracking multiple registers, which can represent different time-of-use periods, utility types, tariffs, or even separate consumption channels within a single device. While this enhances the granularity and accuracy of consumption data, it also introduces complexity in interpreting, allocating, and billing these readings appropriately.
To effectively manage this, a utility management platform must ensure:
Columbo addresses this need by offering comprehensive support for meters with multiple registers, enabling detailed configuration and mapping of each register to the relevant utility, unit, or consumer profile. This ensures not only accurate billing but also supports advanced analytics and reporting, providing stakeholders with the data-driven insights needed to manage utilities efficiently and transparently, and mapping to the appropriate rate based on the supply authority tariff structure and requirements related to the supply specifics.
A fundamental aspect of effective utility management is a clear and scalable understanding of the origin and distribution of each utility—especially in environments where utilities are shared among multiple occupants or units. The complexity of shared supply infrastructure introduces challenges in tracking consumption, attributing usage fairly, and ensuring transparency and accountability in utility billing.
To address this, any robust utility management solution must include the following:
A clear and flexible Supply Point architecture that allows utilities to be defined and tracked from their source—whether municipal, private, or alternative—down to the point of consumption, regardless of how many units or occupants share the supply.
The ability to map supply points to metering infrastructure, units, and consumers in a way that supports both direct and shared metering scenarios, enabling accurate allocation of consumption and associated costs through rules, ratios, or smart algorithms based on consumption behavior or configured logic.
In complex property portfolios or mixed-use developments, different utilities may require separate reading cycles based on operational schedules, utility provider requirements, or the characteristics of the consumption patterns. Managing multiple reading cycles per utility within a single property introduces significant challenges in synchronizing billing, aligning meter data, and ensuring timely invoicing.
To handle this effectively, a modern utility management system must provide:
Columbo has been built with this flexibility at its core, enabling property managers to configure and maintain multiple reading cycles per utility with ease. This ensures that each utility's unique operational cadence is respected, billing remains accurate, and consumers are charged fairly—while streamlining the management process across even the most complex property setups.
Effective Date: 01 January 2023
Columbo Utility Management
Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website and services.
We may collect the following types of information:
Personal Information
When you interact with Columbo, such as by signing up for services or contacting us, we may collect:
Usage Data
We may automatically collect:
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience, analyze traffic, and remember preferences.
We use the information we collect to:
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with:
All third parties are bound by confidentiality and data protection agreements.
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to:
We use industry-standard security measures, including encryption, firewalls, and secure servers, to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
To exercise your rights, contact us at: support@columbo.solutions
You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit the functionality of our site.
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content. Please review their privacy policies independently.
Columbo is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
Columbo Privacy Team
Email: support@columbo.solutions
Website: https://columbo.solutions
Effective Date: 01 January 2023
Welcome
to Columbo — a smarter way to manage your utilities
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Columbo website, platform, tools, and services (collectively, the “Services”). By using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use Columbo.
Columbo provides utility management software and services designed to help individuals and organizations monitor, optimize, and simplify their energy, water, and utility operations.
To use Columbo, you must:
To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to:
You are responsible for all activity under your account.
You agree to use the Services responsibly and in accordance with all laws. You may not:
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations.
Certain features may require payment. When you use paid Services:
Invoices must be paid within the terms outlined
All content and materials on Columbo — including but not limited to software, text, visuals, trademarks, and logos — are owned by Columbo or its licensors. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute them without written permission.
We may use or link to third-party tools and services. Columbo is not responsible for the content, terms, or data practices of these external services. Use at your own risk.
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that violates these Terms or disrupts our operations.
Upon termination, your access to your account and stored data may be limited or permanently removed.
The Services are provided “as is” and “as available”, without any warranties, express or implied. We do not guarantee:
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Columbo is not liable for:
You agree to indemnify and hold Columbo harmless from any claims, damages, or legal fees arising from your misuse of the Services or violation of these Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of Republic of Ireland, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction in that region.
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we’ll update the “Effective Date” and may notify users via email or in-app notification. Continued use of the Services means you accept the updated Terms.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
Columbo Privacy Team
Email: support@columbo.solutions
Website: https://columbo.solutions
