NiSource (NI) unveils mobile applications and facilitates user-friendly travel

This story originally appeared on Zacks

NiSourceNI operating companies announce the launch of the Columbia Gas and Northern Indiana Public Service Company mobile apps, which are available on both the Apple and Google Play Store. This launch is another step taken by this Merrillville, IN-based utility company towards digital transformation to improve customer service experience.
This app offers a bunch of services, which their websites used to provide. To name a few, pay bills, enroll subscribers, maintain usage, view bills or even report an outage. A new feature of the applications, which was missing on the websites, is to start, stop and move the service.
Additionally, NiSource plans to launch a Chatbot virtual assistant and live chat functionality in early 2022, which will help customers connect with the company’s support team virtually. In addition to embarking on the path to digitization, the utility is promoting paperless billing.

Motive behind the launch

NiSource’s customer base continues to grow and it continues to invest heavily to improve the reliability and security of its services. The company’s customer base has grown from 3.7 million in 2019 to 4 million in 2020. This digital launch will provide its growing customer base with convenient services through innovation. Moreover, with the reopening of economic activities, it is expected that there will be an increase in demand and new customers approaching the company, thus making the launch of this application all the more important.
Moreover, with the accelerating pace of life, the world is moving towards digitalization and customers are opting for tech-friendly options. The launch of the utility will therefore help it to attract such customers. This will further increase its already growing customer base and strengthen its cash flow and long-term operations.

Peer movements

Along with NiSource, there are other power companies that are launching mobile apps to enhance their customers’ experience. In 2013, FirstEnergy FE unveiled a mobile website and smartphone app for its electric utility customers with new technology to report a power outage and access outage maps. Besides, duke energy duke and Allied energy LNT has announced the release of investor apps for mobile devices.

Price movement

Over the past six months, utility shares have risen 2% against industry growth of 1.7%.

Six-month price performance

Image source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Rank

NiSource currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the full list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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