The service is called SmartHub and is a creation of the National Information Solutions Cooperative, the cooperative's Lake St. Louis-based technology partner.
Through SmartHub, which is available on the cooperative's website - Co-Mo.coop - and through an app for iPhone/iPad and Android devices - Co-Mo members can monitor their energy use, pay their bills, contact customer service and notify the cooperative of an outage, among other things.
"This is a tremendous new tool for our members," said Ken Johnson, the cooperative's CEO and General Manager. "Through Co-Mo Connect, more and more of our members have access to high-speed broadband, and so these types of tools take on increasing value. It's one of those quality-of-life enhancements Co-Mo Connect is creating for our members."
The Co-Mo Connect project is currently in Phase II of a four-phase plan that would make fiber-to-the-home Internet, TV and telephone available for all Co-Mo Electric members. The project also has expanded to include the cities of California, Tipton and Versailles.
There are numerous useful features in SmartHub, said Barbie Petree, the cooperative's Special Projects Coordinator who serves as a liaison between Co-Mo and NISC.
"As soon as you log in, you'll be able to view your billing history and make a payment with just a couple of clicks - or taps, if you're using the app," Petree said. "You can see how your use is trending over time, which will allow you to take steps to reduce your consumption and lower your bill."
In addition, reporting a power outage is quick and easy from the SmartHub mobile app.
"There's no need to call the office. Just let us know you've lost electricity with a few taps. You can report things you saw or heard when you lost power, and that can help us more quickly track down the problem and get the power back on faster," Petree said.
SmartHub also makes paying your bill easier.
"The first time you make a payment either through the Web or through your mobile device, you'll be able to securely store your payment information for future transactions. The next time you need to pay your bill, it will only take a couple of clicks," Petree said.
Co-Mo has posted a series of videos to help members learn more about SmartHub. They can be found at the cooperative's YouTube page, youtube.com/comoelectric.
"Our members are increasingly benefiting from the decisions to invest in technology made up to a decade ago or more," Johnson said. "These are tools that are revolutionizing our industry, and we're happy to provide them to our consumers as part of their membership with us."