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The CATS ProjectIdaho State Tax Commission

A Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)A Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)Approach toApproach to

Integrated Tax SystemsIntegrated Tax SystemsFT

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◊ 13th 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

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◊ 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)

Idaho TaxesIdaho TaxesFT

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Other TaxesOther Taxes

◊ Fuels (IFTA & fueldistributors)

◊ Beer/Wine

◊ Cigarette/Tobacco

◊ Estate

◊ Electricity

◊ Operating Property

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Vital StatisticsVital Statistics

◊◊ Total returns processed:Total returns processed:1,909,1861,909,186

◊◊ Total revenue collected:Total revenue collected:$2.5 billion$2.5 billion

◊◊ Total compliance results:Total compliance results:$92 million$92 million

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ne ISTC Business ChallengeISTC Business Challenge

◊◊ 20-year old technology20-year old technology◊ Difficult to change and maintain◊ Unable to easily access and utilize

information

◊◊ Proprietary hardware andProprietary hardware andoperating systemoperating system

◊◊ Unable to leverage newUnable to leverage newtechnologytechnology

◊ Open architecture◊ Relational database◊ Graphical interface◊ Imaging◊ Internet

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Agency ActionsAgency Actions

◊ Study by independent IT consultant

◊ Consulted with other tax authorities

◊ Infrastructure improvements

◊ Gathered information for deciding ontechnical direction

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CATS ProjectCATS Project◊ Convert All Tax Systems

◊ Began RFP for traditional design/build project

◊ Became aware of GenTax® software

◊ Acquired GenTax® licenseagreement

◊ Currently configuringGenTax® for Idaho taxadministration

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GenTaxGenTax®®

◊ 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

GenTaxGenTax®® Modules Modules

Returns

Payments

ReturnsIssue

Transactions

Non-Filer Collections

Refund

Revenue Audit

Reports InternetLettersImagingSecurityWorkflow

Customer

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Configure60%Enhance

10%

Custom20%

Process10%

◊ The majority of functions are availablethrough configuration

◊ Development is still required:◊ Reports, letters, conversion, interfaces

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Why COTS?Why COTS?

◊ Deploy rapidly – get something in front ofusers quickly.

◊ Make changes “on the fly” – rules are inreference tables, not hard code.

◊ Focus testing on business rules, rather thanon infrastructure.

◊ Build upon commonly available hardwareand software platforms (Intel, Microsoft).

◊ Leverage existing desktop investments(Windows interface, Word, Excel, etc.).

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◊ Reduced risk

◊ Reduced cost

◊ Reduced schedule

◊ Access to latestinnovations

Which means…Which means…

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HoweverHowever

◊ Less control over solution

◊ Requires Flexibility◊ Take advantage of the product,

don’t try and change it

◊ Business needs to keep up withthe project

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The GenTaxThe GenTax® Architecture ArchitectureDataBusinessInterface

Web ClientsNetscape/ExplorerSame Code Base

LAN/Intranet Clients

• Windows 2000 Client• Visual Basic• DCOM

• Windows 2000 Server• SQL Server• ODBC

• Windows 2000 Server• Visual Basic• MTS

Web Server

Messages

Messages

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Com3

IDCIDC

Shared RaidStorage

Com3

Database Server 2,Images, Letters and

Blob Data

Database Server 1,Main Application Data

100MB Switch

Batch ApplicationServers

Online Application Servers

Client Workstations

ISTC Hardware Topology

Standby

Standby

Optional Gigabit

HP RS 12

HP LT 6000RHP LT 6000R

Online Application Servers

HP LP 1000

Client Workstations (MIN-PII, 350 Mz, 128 MB RAM)

Idaho’sIdaho’sTopologyTopology

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CATS Project ManagementCATS Project Management

◊ Sponsors - Commissioners

◊ Project Champion

◊ Project Manager

◊ IT Steering Committee

◊ Project Planning Committee◊ Communications Committee◊ Change Management Committee◊ IT Architecture/Infrastructure Committee

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CATS Project PlanningCATS Project Planning

◊ Project Strategic Plan

◊ IT Architecture/Infrastructure Plan

◊ Communications Plan

◊ Change Management Plan

◊ Project Work Plan

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Implementation AnalysisImplementation Analysis

◊ Scope of tax

◊ Critical dates

◊ Integration and I.T. impacts

◊ Business process issues

◊ Resource requirements

◊ Political issues

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DetailedDetailedImplementationImplementationPlansPlans

◊ Statements of Workby Module

◊ Data Conversion

◊ Systems Integration

◊ System Security

◊ Training

◊ Documentation

◊ Testing and Acceptance

◊ Cutover

◊ Operations

◊ Production Support

◊ Contingency/DisasterRecovery

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CATS ImplementationCATS ImplementationMethodologyMethodology

2.Definition

3.Base

Configuration

4.Development

5.Conversion

6.Testing

8.Rollout

7.Training

9.Production

Support

1.Preparation

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

◊ Define your scope

◊ Executive support is critical

◊ Maximize staff participation

◊ Hire a professional projectmanager

◊ Change management is critical

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Change is disruptive – the impact of alarge IT project is significant.

ProjectStart

LearningCurve

Climbed

SystemTest

NearingEnd

RollOut

ProductivityConfidence

Morale

The Valley of DespairThe Valley of Despair

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ConfidenceConfidenceContact InformationContact Information

◊ Steve WilsonI.S. Managerswilson@tax.state.id.usTelephone 208-334-7853

◊ Jake HoffmanProject ChampionIT Policy Analystjhoffman@tax.state.id.usTelephone 208-334-7544