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1 A Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Approach to Integrated Tax Systems The CATS Project Idaho State Tax Commission Idaho Facts 13 th largest U.S. state (83,751 sq mi) Only 0.04% of the land is considered urban Almost 80% is range/forest land Almost 15% devoted to agriculture Population 1,294,000 (2000) 20% increase since 1990

2 Idaho Taxes 15 tax types administered Major taxes are: Individual Income (626,013 returns filed FY2001) Corporate Income (65,761 returns filed FY2001) Sales Tax (50,591 active permits) Employer Withholding (50,840 active permits) Account receivable payments processed (136,644) Other Taxes Fuels (IFTA & fuel distributors) Beer/Wine Cigarette/Tobacco Estate Electricity Operating Property

3 Vital Statistics Total returns processed: 1,909,186 Total revenue collected: $2.5 billion Total compliance results: $92 million ISTC Business Challenge 20-year old technology Difficult to change and maintain Unable to easily access and utilize information Proprietary hardware and operating system Unable to leverage new technology Open architecture Relational database Graphical interface Imaging Internet

4 Agency Actions Study by independent IT consultant Consulted with other tax authorities Infrastructure improvements Gathered information for deciding on technical direction CATS Project Convert All Tax Systems Began RFP for traditional design/build project Became aware of GenTax software Acquired GenTax license agreement Currently configuring GenTax for Idaho tax administration

5 GenTax Integrated Tax Processing application Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solution Client server, N-tier Architected with familiar tools VB Crystal Reports SQL Server Component based DCOM Database independent FTA 2001 Annual Conference - Seattle GenTax Modules Customer Returns Issue Non-Filer Returns Payments Workflow Transactions Security Collections Refund Imaging Revenue Letters Audit Reports Internet

6 GenTax Fit The majority of functions are available through configuration Development is still required: Reports, letters, conversion, interfaces Custom 20% Enhance 10% Process 10% Configure 60% Why COTS? Deploy rapidly get something in front of users quickly. Make changes on the fly rules are in reference tables, not hard code. Focus testing on business rules, rather than on infrastructure. Build upon commonly available hardware and software platforms (Intel, Microsoft). Leverage existing desktop investments (Windows interface, Word, Excel, etc.).

7 FTA 2001 Annual Conference - Seattle Which means Reduced risk Reduced cost Reduced schedule Access to latest innovations However Less control over solution Requires Flexibility Take advantage of the product, don t try and change it Business needs to keep up with the project

8 CATS Project Timeline (Rev 1) The GenTax Architecture Interface Web Clients Netscape/Explorer Same Code Base LAN/Intranet Clients Windows 2000 Client Visual Basic DCOM Messages Messages Business Web Server Windows 2000 Server Visual Basic MTS Data Windows 2000 Server SQL Server ODBC

9 IDC 3Com 3Com IDC Idaho s Topology Database Server 1, Main Application Data HP LT 6000R Online Application Servers Online Application HP LP 1000Servers ISTC Hardware Topology Standby Standby Optional Gigabit 100MB Switch Shared Raid Storage HP RS 12 Database Server 2, Images, Letters and Blob Data HP LT 6000R Batch Application Servers CATS Project Management Sponsors - Commissioners Project Champion Project Manager IT Steering Committee Project Planning Committee Communications Committee Change Management Committee IT Architecture/Infrastructure Committee Client Workstations (MIN-PII, 350 Mz, 128 MB RAM) Client Workstations

10 CATS Project Planning Project Strategic Plan IT Architecture/ Infrastructure Plan Communications Plan Change Management Plan Project Work Plan Implementation Analysis Scope of tax Critical dates Integration and I.T. impacts Business process issues Resource requirements Political issues

11 Statements of Work by Module Data Conversion Systems Integration System Security Training Documentation Detailed Implementation Plans Testing and Acceptance Cutover Operations Production Support Contingency/Disaster Recovery CATS Implementation Methodology 1. Preparation 2. Definition 3. Base Configuration 4. Development 5. Conversion 6. Testing 7. Training 8. Rollout 9. Production Support

12 Lessons Learned Define your scope Executive support is critical Maximize staff participation Hire a professional project manager Change management is critical The Valley of Despair Change is disruptive the impact of a large IT project is significant. Productivity Confidence Morale Project Start System Test Nearing End Roll Out Learning Curve Climbed

13 Confidence Contact Information Steve Wilson I.S. Manager Telephone Jake Hoffman Project Champion IT Policy Analyst Telephone