The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is moving to redesign and strengthen its operational arm in an effort to meet the demands of the times.
The focus is on upgrading and transforming the central operations room of the General Directorate of Economic Transactions Control Forces (DEOS) to meet the needs of the new organisational structure.
According to the project’s detailed technical specifications, this is not simply an effort to improve existing tools, but a digital leap that will turn the retrospective recording of tax evaders’ activities into real-time, proactive deterrence.
AADE aims to create a state-of-the-art Control and Command Centre, which will serve as DEOS’s digital “brain”, breaking down the silos of the past and bringing information to the front line of the fight against tax evasion in real time.
As set out in the tender, the project is based on a systematic assessment of AADE’s complex operational requirements.
The existing operations room is being radically transformed and expanded. With the purchase of new, wide-ranging user licences and the introduction of advanced functions, AADE’s management will be able to make the most of the information available.
In practice, the new Control Centre will enable live mapping, coordination and oversight of all inspection teams nationwide. Decisions will no longer be based on delayed reports, but on live data.
Interoperability
Interoperability will be the new system’s heavy artillery.
The new digital command centre will connect to and draw real-time data from all existing AADE applications, as well as those of third-party bodies.
The list of connections gives an indication of its scope:
- Transactions and the market: direct links to myDATA, eSEND (cash registers) and the ELENCHOSlive system.
- Transport and fuel: links to the Digital Delivery Note and the Inflow-Outflow System to combat fuel smuggling.
- Property and leasing: the system will have live access to the Short-Term Rental Property Register (Airbnb), the Land Registry and myCAR, which tracks whether vehicles are in use or off the road.
- Maritime tourism and customs: integration of data from ICISnet (Customs), e-Charter Agreement and the e-Ship Registry, alongside the AIS vessel-tracking system.
The system will also receive and digitally filter complaints from the public.
All this information will feed into an advanced operational intelligence and data analytics system, which will identify suspicious patterns and assess the risk of tax evasion before an inspection team even sets out.
For example, during an inspection of a tanker, it could flag that its number plate appears in other cases or that the associated tax identification number has a record of violations.
The operations room
The new operations room will resemble the high-tech command centres of international law enforcement agencies. The tender provides for the complete fit-out of the physical space, dominated by a giant video wall with dedicated management software. It will display digital maps (GIS) and live incidents.
The project’s cutting-edge technology includes an artificial intelligence platform that will act as a digital assistant to analysts, recommending targets based on risk-analysis algorithms.
The most striking feature, however, is the integration of a Media Server NVR – Live Streaming subsystem. This will allow inspectors in the field to stream live video and audio to the central command centre during inspections, ensuring the integrity of the process and enabling senior officials to provide live instructions.
Front-line digital equipment
To make this technological ecosystem work, AADE is also overhauling the equipment used by its front-line staff.
The contract includes the bulk procurement of portable devices (state-of-the-art tablets and smartphones) for inspectors on the road, as well as top-of-the-range equipment for office workstations (desktops, laptops, multiple user screens and interactive touchscreens for meetings).
The project contractor will take full responsibility for installation, configuration and system lockdown. Through an advanced mobile device management system, all inspectors’ portable devices will be centrally managed for cybersecurity purposes and equipped with dedicated applications for mapping, searches and data cross-checks.
The specifications provide for at least 456 mobile-device user licences, 45 users for the centre and 15 users of artificial intelligence applications.
A dedicated knowledge management and training subsystem is also planned, enabling DEOS staff to be trained quickly in the new digital tools.