Provision of wholesale/retail electronic commerce transaction management services to the energy industry (namely energy distribution and retail companies), namely-- the provision of centralized electronic information transaction and management services to the energy industry by means of a global computer network; the provision of a computer-based transaction mechanism for transmitting common format data among energy industry market participants by means of a global computer network; the provision of electronic business transaction system services to enable energy distribution and retail companies to communicate customer enrollment and billing information to each other; the provision of electronic data exchange services to energy distribution and retail companies by means of an electronic data clearinghouse hub accessible via a Web site; the provision of electronic information exchange services for the energy industry, namely the encryption, translation, validation, transmission and monitoring of electronic information by means of a global computer network; provision of computer software implementation services to energy distribution and retail companies, namely the selection, installation and testing of system interface software allowing energy distribution and retail companies to access and utilize applicant's centralized electronic transaction information management and data exchange services; provision of training and consulting services to energy distribution and retail companies, namely electronic information management and transaction training and consulting services and energy market deregulation training and consulting services; provision of customer billing, account settlement and call center services; provision of advertising services for others and the dissemination of marketing, promotional and advertising matters for others, all in relation to the energy industry; provision of customer information data management and analysis services, provision of information services respecting the energy industry by means of a global computer network;