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The Malta Independent | Thursday 17 February 2011
ICT Feature
Alex Vella
Alex Vella is a Project Manager at MITA
Nadine Gatt
The future of customs Their main function is to monitor the flow of goods in and out of the country. They are also responsible to suppress illicit drug trafficking, detect smuggling, prevent commercial fraud, ensure safety and security of the European Union’s southern border through risk management of cargo from third countries and protect intellectual property rights. Their least popular task is perhaps the collection of revenue on dutiable goods and the prevention of its evasion. They are the Malta Customs Department. During the 1990s Malta Customs was at the forefront to introduce a computerised system to modernise its operations and service local traders more efficiently. The first system was called ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) which was developed and donated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The main benefit of using ASYCUDA was to accelerate and shorten customs clearance. Other benefits included the simplifying of procedures, cost reduction, improvement of custom controls and the provision of reliable and timely statistics. With the accession of Malta into the EU in May 2004 the Customs Department felt that it was the right time to implement a more advanced electronic Customs IT system. The main purpose of the new system was to support the local department to comply with new EU customs procedures. However, the new system was also able to bring about several business and technical enhancements that were either not present or not possible to implement with ASYCUDA. The complexities of the modern supply chain, the number of stakeholders involved, and the increasing volume of global economic trade require that information on international trade business be readily available to suppliers, carriers, freight forwarders, buyers, customs authorities and other border agencies. This has brought new challenges to the Malta Customs administration as it tries to resolve the demands of increasing security and control of international trade, whilst at the same time reduce the administrative expenses carried by pub-
GENDER
Nadine Gatt is project coordinator of Second Step
Roderick Spiteri is Marketing and Communications Executive at MITA and editor of Malta Independent ICT feature
This week The Malta Independent ICT Feature will be looking at how ICT has been applied to support the Customs Department in their vital role of controlling the flow of dutiable goods in and out of Malta. We’ll also look at the new
Government Payroll project handling the wages and stipends of over 46,000 public service officers and students respectively. We will also look at the turnout of the recent second call of application for the Second Step Training Pro-
gramme. Last week, Malta together with 64 other countries marked Internet Safety Day. To this regard, we will look at the reasons behind this initiative and what efforts are being done locally.
Software as a shared service – government payroll Paul Galea
lic and commercial entities. The EU programme foreseen by the eCustoms Decision is intended to make Customs clearance more efficient, reduce administrative burdens, facilitate trade, increase the safety and security of goods within international trade, and improve environmental and consumer protection through better targeted customs controls based on electronic risk management systems. The EU Multi-Annual Strategic Plan requires Malta Customs to invest in its ICT systems to allow the full implemen-
tation of the Modernised Customs Code. It is essential that customs systems within the EU member states are capable to exchange electronic information and interface with local and international economic operators based on modern proven technological standards. Through technology, the Malta customs will be able to provide more benefits to economic operators and other stakeholders within the international supply chain. These are a few main benefits identi-
fied within the Customs programme: • To provide modern mechanisms for efficient and effective direct access to upto-date information making it possible to collect taxes, customs duties and excise due in a timely manner; • To provide firmer protection of the EU southern borders from illicit and harmful trade; • To provide information accessibility to economic operators resulting in an improved network with other member states thus spurring more efficiency in economic activities;
• To ensure regulatory compliance with EU Customs legislations; • Curb on administrative overheads; • All legitimate traders will be able to operate in any EU member state; Over the years the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) has worked closely with the Customs department and the Office of the CIO within the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment in the development of new applications and to assist Customs in meeting EU deadlines.
Another encouraging turnout of applicants for Second Step MITA registered another positive turnout of applications for the Second Step Training Programme. Last year the Agency launched the Second Step - a training programme that will enable participants to achieve a diploma in ICT for free. Since a total of 375 applications were received for this first call and considering that availability was limited, MITA issued a second call of applications last January and received another 174 applications. An overall total of 549 individuals have therefore expressed their interest to further their studies in the ICT sector at a diploma level. Initial data from the second call confirms that the majority of applicants would like to pursue such a training programme for employment opportunities and career progression. This stands very much in line with the Agency’s and Government’s vision of increasing the local supply of ICT
Roderick Spiteri
The Malta Independent ICT Feature
human capital. This also shows that citizens are actively considering lifelong learning as a way forward. Statistics show that out of the 174 applicants, 146 were male while 28 were female. Data also shows that 83% of applicants are currently employed on a full-time basis, 6% are part-timers whilst 11% are currently unemployed. The main reason why people applied for Second Step is because they believe that a diploma in ICT will improve their employment opportunities (28%). Other reasons for applying for the course were: career progression (37%), to increase knowledge in ICT (32%), and to return to work (3%). Second Step is spearheaded by MITA and co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund and National funds with a co-financing rate of 85% EU funds
and 15% National Funds. Training is provided by a private training institution and 40% of the course content can be followed online through an online training system. All applications are currently being evaluated and applicants will be no-
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tified of acceptance or otherwise by the end of February 2011. A familiarisation session will be held prior to course commencement. Lectures will start in mid-March 2011 and the course will end in June 2012 (summer period included).
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An overall total of 549 individuals have therefore expressed their interest to further their studies in the ICT sector at a diploma level
Paul Galea is a Project Manager at MITA.
Most of us depend on it for our livelihood. Some opt to receive it in cash while others as a cheque but nowadays, the vast majority prefer to have it credited directly into their bank account. You guessed it, it’s our salaries or wages. During last month Government has implemented a new payroll system which is used to generate approximately 46,000 salaries within Government public service and student’s stipends. This large and ambitious changeover is just one piece of a wider strategy leading to a fully-fledged, government wide, Human Resources Management system. Government has been running an automated payroll generation system since the mid-1970s and the main component of this system was the centralised payroll calculation application. In the mid-1990’s, another application was installed in all government departments which provided input to the centralised Payroll. Other smaller applications were developed and interfaced to the main system and throughout the 35 years that the system has been in operation, it has gone through a number of major challenges including Pay-asyou-earn (PAYE), Final Settlement System (FSS), Fringe Benefits, Year 2000 compliance and last but not least, the Euro Changeover All these challenges were met head on, but as the years rolled by it became evident that the system needed to go through a technology and business process refresh, especially since
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This large and ambitious changeover is just one piece of a wider strategy leading to a fully-fledged, government wide, Human Resources Management system
the advent of eGovernment meant that people required access to data contained in systems from anywhere, anytime. In 2008, a tender was issued to implement a single centralised payroll system which would be accessible by all departments over the government intranet and which would meet current and future technological and business needs. The tender was
awarded to Dakar Software Systems and a team from MITA, OPM and the Central Salaries Section was setup to implement the new payroll system. From the outset, the project posed a number of challenges. Besides the new functional requirements and reengineering of business processes, a major challenge was data migration where data fields from the older systems had to be mapped and converted to the new payroll. It was evident that a big bang approach in implementing all 60 departments at one go, would pose resources issues. Thus it was decided to implement the new system in the Central Salaries Section and in two pilot departments. This objective was reached in January 2011, and it was a major milestone in Government Payroll Administration as it will be the first step in the implementation of a modern and effective payroll and human resources strategy backed by a solid and up to date technology. Plans are already underway to roll out the new payroll across all government and subsequent phases will include leave management, introduction of eServices, integration to other systems, training modules, and other HR functionalities. Dedication, a lot of hard work, a clear strategy and very effective collaboration between the main stakeholders were the key to the success of this project. Feedback during the implementation in the Government departments will also be analysed so that further benefits can be reaped from this silent but revolutionary initiative.
Internet is more than a game, it’s your life! Last week, on the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2011, the European Commission announced that it will step up talks with ICT industry and children's organisations to encourage the design of safer products to help keep children safe online. Nowadays, children are going online from a younger age and not just from computers, but also games consoles and mobile devices. More than 82% of 15-16 year olds in Europe have a social networking profile, as well as 26% of 9-10 year olds, even though social networking sites usually require a minimum age of 13. This year, Safer Internet Day, on 8th February was marked in more than 65 countries around the world, including in Malta, under the slogan “Internet is more than a game, it’s your life!” This is supported by the EU’s Safer Internet Programme, which helps parents and their children to be safe online. Despite the advantages brought about by virtual interaction, endless information and enhanced entertainment experiences, the Internet also poses a number of dangers that may negatively impact children and other vulnerable individuals. Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda said: “It is hard for parents to ensure their children are always safe online, especially as youngsters now access the Internet not just from PCs, but also via smart phones and games consoles. This places greater responsibility on the ICT industry to provide products and services that protect and empower children online. We have worked productively with social networks and mobile operators. Now we call on the whole chain of ICT industry to work together to do more to safeguard children online.” In response to changing patterns of technology used by youngsters, the
Commission will work with new groups and industry-sectors to better protect children online. Manufacturers of mobile devices and game consoles, Internet service providers, social networking companies, mobile applications and content providers, consumer organisations, researchers and children organisations will be invited to join the collaborative platform. A recent pan-European survey shows that children go online more and more and that Internet use is becoming more personalised, with one out of three connecting via their mobile phones and one in four via game consoles. More than half of 13-16 year olds are accessing the Internet in their bedroom.
At the same time, 59% of 9-16 year olds have a social networking profile, with differences between countries ranging from 80% in The Netherlands to 46% in Romania. 26% of them have completely “public” profiles, ranging from 11% in the UK to a high of 54% in Hungary. 14% of children post their address and phone number on their profiles. Initiatives such as the Safer Internet Day 2011 aims at reminding young people that what they do or say online could break through into their "real" life even if they use an avatar or a nickname. The Safer Internet Day has been organised by INSAFE, the network of Awareness Centres and has taken place every year since 2004.
Locally, various Maltese stakeholders are joining forces and engaging on a 20month project titled BeSmartOnline! with the aim of increasing awareness on the safe use of the Internet by minors. The project is coordinated by the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) and includes Agenzija Appogg, the Commissioner for Children, the Directorate for Educational Services (DES), the Secretariat for Catholic Education, the Malta Police Force and a board made up of a number of entities, including MITA. The project is co-financed by the Safer Internet Programme of the European Commission and the centre will form part of Insafe, the European network of Awareness Centres.