Reinforcing Business Partnership through the Use of a State of the Art Solutions

Reinforcing Business Partnership through the Use of State-of-the-Art Solutions

Our business partners in the Public Service continued moving on steadily and consistently with the Public Service Change Management programme with respect to capacity building and improved business processes in order to improve public services. In 2002, the Public Service also took off with great momentum in terms of re-inventing government in so far as complementing its public services by embracing the ‘e’ era and using alternative delivery channels in order to offer public services round the clock. MITTS Ltd role in 2002 was that of assisting its business partners realise its change initiatives by understanding their needs and applying state-of-the art solutions for the attainment of their goals.

2002 saw a mix of new initiatives and a continuation of the 2001 programme. MITTS Ltd focused its efforts in both service and project deliveries and continued to reinforce the collaborative approach with its business partners. In particular, in 2002 one could witness the introduction of new or improved services offered by the Public Service that involved MITTS Ltd as a key player.

Driving on the Public Service Change Management Road Map

The Public Service Change Management Programme encompasses a roadmap which is based on a continuous improvement concept. In essence, the end line keeps on moving ahead with the same pace of the advancements in the local, European and international socio-economic environment. The raison d’etre of MITTS Ltd is centred on continuously supporting Government’s efforts in its continuous programme of change. In 2002 MITTS Ltd continued to deliver solutions in synch with such efforts, where some of the major initiatives included: The extension of the ‘Sistema ghallAmministrazzjoni ta’ Beneficcji Socjali’ (SABS) to the Australian Embassy.

Further enhancements to the Tax Compliance Unit (TCU) Data Warehouse in support to Government’s efforts to curb tax evasion.

Further enhancements to the Departmental Accounting System (DAS) in order to control Government’s finances more effectively and get geared up to the upcoming introduction of the accrual accounting principles.

The consolidation of the statistics programme for the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The migration of VAT core applications onto a new technological platform and the beginning of new VAT system modules to facilitate information exchange.

New IT suite of programmes for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) focusing mainly on the automation of data collection from corporations, tax audits and the enhancements of core systems in line with the Ministry of Finance financial programme.

Further rollout of Internet in schools and exploiting this service to the fullest by having such services available in the evening for e-Malta Commission’s ICT awareness programme.

The ID cards renewal system.

Everything Starts with an ‘e’?

For some years now, public fora have projected that the advent of the e-Business and e-Government will induce a paradigm shift – that of the e-paradigm. However, is this ‘e’ paradigm all hype, where the real revolution occurred insofar as every word now starting with an ‘e’ or is this new dimension actually coming to fruition? The Maltese Government took on board the concept of e-Government with real determination and with a will to prove that it can re-invent itself and offer public services using more delivery channels. MITTS Ltd geared itself up in line with Government’s vision on e-Government and was thus ready to meet the challenge of supporting the eGovernment programme.

In particular, following the launch of the ten flag bearers e-Government services in 2001, MITTS Ltd invested in an highly available, secure and scalable architecture that would facilitate e-services, namely the ‘e-Government Web Framework’ and was involved as a pivotal player in most of the e-Government initiatives. In particular, MITTS Ltd was involved in the:

Launch of Electronic Payment Gateway.

Development of the m-Government gateway that allows for the delivery of services through mobile telephony.

Launch of m-Government services such as the Courts Deferrals Notification System.

The go-live of e-Exams in October 2002 and the Registration of Evening Courses System.

Development of the web interface for the Civil Case Management System.

Work for the delivery of the e-Customer Care system.

Enhancing of the VAT system to move towards e-VAT services such as on line submission of VAT declarations and online payments of VAT, where phase one will go live at the beginning of 2003.

The ‘e-Government Web Framework’

Supporting the e-Government initiative and providing Government with the eGovernment Superhighway means that MITTS Ltd needed to consolidate the platform and architecture that would facilitate on line electronic services, in readiness for the envisaged extensive roll-out and take-up of e-Government services. In 2002, MITTS Ltd invested heavily both in terms of technical expertise and the architecture. The Company thoroughly researched a number of leading edge technologies and investigated similar solutions adopted by large international organisations, in order to apply best practice to the Web Framework. In 2002, over Lm75,000 were invested to consolidate further the Web Framework, whilst further investment is planned for 2003.

Assisting the Implementation of the National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA)

Government’s policy initiative of attaining full membership within the European Union with the next enlargement, has in 2002 reached its culmination, with the implementation of the National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA) in its final stages. In 2002, MITTS Ltd continued to assist the Public Service in its efforts to implement the NPAA according to plan. Stemming from the 2001 efforts, where MITTS Ltd worked very closely with appropriate Departments and Ministries in order to obtain the required derogations for the utilisation of co-funded or directly assigned funds by the Commission, in 2002, MITTS Ltd gave its contribution in this regard, where the following projects were undertaken:

Continued enhancements with respect to the EU reporting requirements in connection to the Departmental Accounting System (DAS), together with work on the Accrual Accounting Project.

Technical consultancy with respect to the introduction of the Schengen Information Systems Project and the e-Customs Application Project.

The Integrated and Administrative Control System (IACS) with respect to Agriculture.

NSO related business applications projects.

New VERA System.

Information Security related initiatives, such as the widespread implementation of Secure Mail for key areas of the Public Service.

2003 will see continued work on the above, together with assistance to providing access to the European Council Networks.

Safeguarding Information – An Information Security Culture

With Government becoming more and more dependent upon information and information technology to deliver its services, coupled with the importance and value of the information Government manages, the need to ensure the integrity, availability and confidentiality of information has become of paramount importance. Securing information does not, however, preclude the access to information when, how and by whom it is required. To this effect MITTS Ltd has developed an Information Security and Risk Management service line in order to firstly create an awareness of the value of information, how it should be managed and shared, and secondly to ensure that whatever solution is offered by MITTS Ltd is done in accordance to information security requirements.

In 2002, MITTS Ltd invested heavily both in terms of skills capacity and in terms of technology capacity in this new field. A fully equipped disaster recovery facility for a number of Government’s critical services, including Government’s corporate e-mail services, the Common Data Base (CdB) and DAS was set up towards the end of 2002, where the plans are that this facility will be extended in scope in 2003.

Within MITTS Ltd, a Computer Emergency Response Team was set-up with the aim to issue security instructions and advise the Central Information Management Unit (CIMU) and users on preventive measures that should be taken. The Information Security programme undertaken in 2002 also focused on assisting CIMU with Government’s Security policies, also including the review of the anti-virus framework and the introduction of antispam filter on internet based incoming e-mail. During 2002 a number of presentations were delivered to the Public

Charelle Abela Monaco Business Development Manager

After working in North Italy for a number of years, Charelle joined the company in 1995 and as she herself explains “threw myself at IT without even knowing it”.

Charelle is a qualifi ed industrial chemist within production, operations and quality management, and exploited her knowledge of quality management applying it to IT where her fi rst job with MITTS Ltd entailed Quality Assurance and Quality Control.

Over the years MITTS Ltd provided Charelle with opportunities for advancement within the Company, where she managed the corporate performance monitoring function and lately moved into business development.

Charelle is appreciative of the opportunities MITTS Ltd has offered her “MITTS Ltd and the people within the company have always listened to my ideas and suggestions. This has always helped me to perform better. I have found people within the company who have acted as my mentors which have consequently helped me to self develop.

The element of trust which MITTS Ltd shows to its employees is very evident. I can say this after having worked for a number of years with other companies and the difference is visible. Here at MITTS Ltd you do not have to be physically at work to work, I have often thought and developed a concept from home”.

Service top offi cials in an effort to raise Information Security awareness.

In order to ensure that such a culture of securing information is embraced further, preliminary work was initiated in order for MITTS Ltd to obtain certifi cation in the ISO Information Security Standard – ISO 17799.

Investing in a State-of-the Art ICT Framework

Having a strong information and communication technologies framework has now become critical to Government not only insofar as its internal operations, but also with respect to the increased roll-out of further e-Government services to the public. Being the operator of both Government’s e-Superhighway and the Secure Government Infrastructure, MITTS Ltd recognised that it has to continue investing in its ICT framework, not only to keep the technology current, but also to have a state-of-the art solution that allows for a secure and reliable service provision to MITTS Ltd clients.

In 2002, MITTS Ltd placed considerable effort on three fronts:

A concerted effort to maintain and improve on the existing Malta Government Network (MAGNET).

Initiation towards moving to a redesigned MAGNET, which is more robust, resilient and offers even higher levels of security.

The facilitation of e-Government Services through a MITTS Ltd designed ICT architecture, known as the ‘e-Government Web Framework’ that is highly available, secure and scalable. Apart from the investment in the electronic communications infrastructure and connectivity equipment, in 2002, MITTS Ltd initiated the process of moving towards a redesigned MAGNET. To this effect, in May 2002, MITTS Ltd issued a Request for Tender to the Telecom Transport Providers (TTP) to provide a technical solution, that in lay man terms would provide the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a redesigned MAGNET, whilst MITTS Ltd would retain the overall management and administration of the network. The local TTPs formed a consortium and submitted a joint bid where it is planned that negotiations and adjudication will take place in the fi rst half of the 2003. Through this second generation MAGNET, which is being named MAGNET II, MITTS Ltd will be able to provide a network that is highly available, is secure and scalable to cater for future growth. It is being planned that should negotiations be concluded in a timely manner, the MAGNET II shall be operational by the end of Summer of 2004.

Through MAGNET II, MITTS Ltd will have an ICT framework that will allow Government and MITTS Ltd to leverage new technologies and will consolidate the investment planning philosophy of the company that took off with great momentum in 2001 – that of pro-active investment in order to ensure that ‘the ICT framework will, at any point in time, meet the expectations of its client base’.

Faster Communication – Anytime, Anywhere at a Touch of a Button

Instant communication is the rule of the day, and the take-up of Internet subscriptions and e-mail in Malta is a testimony of this. Both organisations and the public in general, increasingly are preferring to communicate with Government through electronic communications. The Maltese Public Service recognised this and has now over 12,000 e-mail accounts in the public service alone. MITTS Ltd, on the other hand, recognised the increasing criticality of electronic communications for the Public Service, and towards the end of 2002, overhauled the whole Internet e-mail infrastructure in order to cope with the increased volumes of e-mail traffi c. In 2002 an average of 700,000 Internet e-mails were sent or received per month. The overhauled infrastructure now also provides for antivirus checks on all in-coming e-mails, where such checks are carried out at a central level prior to reaching the intended addressee, and has been also scaled to provide for antispamming measures.