HMRC MDTP
In February 2014, the Multi-channel Digital Tax Platform (MDTP) was introduced to realize this vision. This cloud-based Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) hosts new digital services and connects to legacy backend systems through an integration (API) layer. This allowed HMRC to implement a uniform approach to delivering modern customer services, with MDTP offering a secure, highly available, efficient, and scalable base for their services. Service teams utilized a Continuous Delivery strategy to quickly, frequently, and safely develop and deploy microservices. MDTP was constructed with various open-source technologies, promoting ownership and reducing dependency on costly proprietary software. Due to the requirement for customer data to be stored in the UK, HMRC could not initially launch MDTP on a hyperscale cloud. For the first two years, MDTP was hosted by a single data center provider, then from January 2016, it was hosted by two single data center providers. Ultimately, in October 2017, it transitioned to an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud solution, implemented environment by environment. Customer interactions are mainly digital, but other channels, such as virtual assistants, phone support, secure messaging, and web chat, are integrated with the digital services and managed through a distinct Contact Platform. MDTP operates under a multi-partner model to maximize value from various vendors and skill sets, with all platform teams consisting of multiple suppliers (i.e., ‘blended’). As part of this initiative, esynergy joined the team to help develop and operate the new tax platform.