Colombia is advancing on its path towards economic modernization and formalization with the implementation of electronic billing in public service companies. As of August 1, 2024, water, electricity, gas and telecommunications bills will no longer be delivered on paper and they will become electronic documents.
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This measure, established in the resolution 008 of 2024, issued by the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN)seeks to combat tax evasion, streamline processes and promote transparency in the sector.
Óscar Mauricio Moreno, co-founder of F&M Technology – E-Bill, company with more than 13 years in the electronic invoicing market, He explained to the newspaper Portafolio that public service companies must issue and send electronic invoices to their customers through digital means.
Utility companies are in the process of preparing to comply with this new requirement, and have been given a deadline to enable and stabilize their systems, conduct pilot tests and develop the necessary solutions to ensure the correct issuance and transmission of electronic invoices.
A fundamental aspect of this transition is to guarantee accessibility for all users, regardless of their level of internet access or technological knowledge. Companies must develop alternative mechanisms such as the delivery of physical invoices with QR codes or the implementation of software on desktop computers for rural areas without connectivity.
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Benefits of electronic invoicing
In addition, Beyond legal compliance, electronic billing offers utility companies a number of benefits, such as:
- Reduction of operating costs: Eliminating paper, printing and distributing physical invoices means significant resource savings.
- Process streamlining: Automating the issuance and transmission of invoices allows for more efficient management of the billing cycle.
- Improvement in organization and financial control: The digitization of information facilitates analysis and strategic decision making.
- Greater transparency and traceability: Electronic invoices are reliable and secure documents that allow better tracking of transactions.
- Strengthening corporate image: The adoption of innovative technologies demonstrates commitment to modernization, social responsibility and care for the environment.
