SOA in Government - Tullverket - IBM SOA Customer

SOA in Government - Tullverket (Swedish Customs "Managing the Trade" Division) Creating a competitive customs organization with SOA and CBM - IBM SOA Customer

IBM SOA Customer: SOA in Government

"The unique aspect with this project is that we are linking together the Component Business Model methodology with an SOA Service Oriented Architecture. By doing this we are assuring a successful transformation result from a business as well as IT perspective." - Vidar Gundersen, former CIO

Customer: Tullverket (Swedish Customs "Managing the Trade" Division)
Deployment Country: Sweden
Industry: Government
Solution: Service Oriented Architecture, Transforming Business

Overview : SOA Service Oriented Architecture
Managing the Trade (MT) was preparing to implement a new European Union (EU) e-customs program. Done properly, MT could transform its operations into de facto standards designed to enhance Swedish economic competitiveness.

Business need: Before it could inaugurate the new program, MT needed to implement a new organizational structure and strategy, and prioritize investments in business processes and IT architecture. In so doing, MT was seeking to gain competitive advantage and differentiate itself from other EU customs authorities.

Solution: Managing the Trade worked with IBM® Global Business Services to define a new business operating model and initiate a service-oriented architecture (SOA) IT framework. Using the IBM Component Business Model™ and IBM Service-Oriented Modeling and Architecture (SOMA) methodologies, MT created a flexible, end-to-end business and IT architecture responsive to current and future requirements of the Swedish government and the EU, as well as to the organization’s own strategic objectives.

Benefits: Through this solution, a framework was developed to evaluate and choose future strategic projects that will align to both national and EU goals. It also aligned IT and business strategy by identifying key IT services needed to support business processes.

Case Study : SOA Service Oriented Architecture
The Swedish Customs "Managing the Trade" division routinely facilitated trades for the European Union and collected importation revenues for goods bound to other EU member states. If it could obtain early compliance with a new EU e-customs program, Managing the Trade could gain short-term competitive advantages by being able to offer additional services to member states, such as operations consulting and IT services. In turn, the division could future-proof its investments by incorporating a larger user community for its standards and systems, and by transforming its operations into de facto standards designed to enhance Swedish economic competitiveness and societal safety. Although EU mandates to establish a competitive environment were clearly stated, there was vague guidance to member states about how objectives and integration should be achieved.

Business Challenge : SOA Service Oriented Architecture
As member states faced the uncertainties of upcoming EU legislation, Managing the Trade was challenged to decide how it should change. Unfortunately, Managing the Trade lacked strategic leadership and direction. And even though it was one of the recognized leaders in customs administration, a growing list of competitors could quickly erode its position. Also, a recent reorganization had resulted in less effective collaboration between the two main divisions of the group, and it was unclear how the business should be supported by the IT department. At times, the IT department defined business requirements and objectives rather than allowing business leaders to set goals.

Solution : SOA Service Oriented Architecture
Managing the Trade worked with IBM Global Business Services to define a business operating model for its division of Swedish Customs and to initiate an SOA framework by integrating the IBM Component Business Model and IBM SOMA methodologies. Leveraging these methodologies, Managing the Trade created a flexible, end-to-end business and IT architecture that is responsive to current and future requirements of the Swedish government and the EU, as well as to the organization’s own strategic objectives. Consequently, Swedish Customs is prepared to assume and sustain a leading role within the EU customs community.

Using the Component Business Model methodology to understand and articulate current and desired capabilities, as well as its most vital business components, the organization first identified the gap it had to close to reach its 2012 vision. It also outlined shortfalls in achieving near-term EU compliance, and operational impacts based on component dependencies. For the first time, the IT organization was able to view IT projects from a business perspective with the goals and business services that IT supports.

An IBM Global Technology Services team developed a high-level SOA using the SOMA methodology for a selected number of components of the Component Business Model phase. The team used the SOMA technique throughout the identification phase and during parts of the specification phase.

Benefits : SOA Service Oriented Architecture

Developed a framework to evaluate and choose future strategic projects that will align to both national and EU goals.
Aligned IT and business strategy by identifying key IT services needed to support business processes.
Established a strategic planning method/discipline.
Identified key investment and improvement opportunities.
Produced a collaborative effort between “Managing the Trade” and IT (rarely happened previously if at all).

Products and Services Used
IBM products and services that were used in this case study.
Software: Rational Method Composer
Services: GBS Business Strategy, GBS Operations Strategy, GBS Technology Strategy, IBM Global Business Services, IBM Integrated Technology Services