This general discussion of information systems for improving service to customers focuses on integrated systems, with a set of coordinated databases that can be accessed through a worker's personal computer. Service to customers includes both internal and external customers, such as consumers, regulators, suppliers, and shareholders. The Essex Water Company has a core systems--customer database, revenue billing function, financial systems, and the quality database--as well as distributed, local systems--geographic information system, customer service, and performance management. The author describes in general terms how the integrated information system may develop in the future.