HMRC’s Innovative Approach to IT Partner Management

The Ecosystem framework encourages innovation and enables us to maximize value and optimize resources for the benefit of HMRC. Jeff Marshall, Vice President, Business Objects

The Situation

When the Inland Revenue signed the Aspire contract with Capgemini, it was the first major re-competition of a large public-sector IT outsourcing agreement and a break from the norm. More flexible than its predecessor, it encourages innovation and allows significant changes to support business needs.

Following the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, Capgemini is responsible for IT systems and IT-led transformation services to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) including managing a multisourced environment. Harnessing capabilities of “best-in-class” companies from hardware, software and specialist suppliers to IT service providers (often competitors) Capgemini supports HMRC’s efficiency and transformation targets and provides a window to the world of technology, globally.

The Solution

Capgemini provides key services and also manages supplier relationships with core Aspire partners Fujitsu, Accenture and BT and another 30 business partners together with the myriad of other suppliers that are part of HMRC’s Ecosystem. The scale, complexity and criticality of IT for HMRC means that no single supplier could deliver all the services to meet its needs. Equally, interdependencies of these different suppliers needs careful management. The governance model, known as Ecosytem@HMRC, establishes a tiered operational framework with a number of partners sharing delivery risk with Capgemini. On a commercial and contractual basis, it gives HMRC visibility and input into selection and management of Aspire partners who share their innovative ideas to help HMRC’s transformation.

The Result

HMRC uses Capgemini’s management of the Ecosystem to leverage partner relationships, drive down cost and foster innovation. Examples include:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

HMRC’s new ERP system provides a single standardized approach to finance, HR and procurement, replacing over 200 legacy systems with a ‘vanilla’ SAP solution. Capgemini was prime contractor, transformation partner and systems integrator, while SAP was main solution provider with Fujitsu and Accenture providing specific capabilities.

Channel Routing and Integration Service (ChRIS)

HMRC is at the forefront of Government e-services, making it easier and quicker for UK taxpayers and businesses to comply with tax obligations. ChRIS is a conduit between the Internet and a range of back-office tax systems to validate and transform incoming data and then route it to the appropriate system for processing. It supports the huge growth in online filing, reducing complexity and technology costs. Capgemini and Fujitsu deployed an open standards-based, service-oriented architecture in partnership with BEA, Sun and SoftwareAG.

Standard Desktop

HMRC staff can use any workstation in any office to access core business services as a result of the programme to migrate the newly merged Department’s desktops and laptops to Windows XP and upgrading legacy applications. As one of the largest ever software implementations in Europe, over 1,500 workstations were migrated each night. Capgemini led the program which included Fujitsu, Avanade, BT, Remedy, Microsoft, HP and Quest.

With the Ecosystem BEA is being used more strategically and becoming involved earlier. This is a big improvement on how we have engaged with other suppliers where we are brought in only when problems occur. Peter Wisbey, Account Director, BEA