British American Tobacco to Roll Out ABM Solution to Help Fight Illicit Trade

Nottingham, 08 February 2010 - The world's most international tobacco group, British American Tobacco (BAT), has awarded intelligence, investigation and criminal justice software solutions specialist, ABM, a five year contract for the provision of Intellicase and abmpegasus Source Management. The total solution will help BAT manage business and operational challenges ranging from investigation and case management to intelligence gathering and organisational reporting – all within a secure environment with configurable workflow.

BAT sells brands in more than 180 markets and employs more than 50,000 people worldwide.

BAT's AIT Intelligence Manager for Europe, Brendan Saritschniy, explains: "Counterfeiting and smuggling are ever present issues facing not just the tobacco industry, but other luxury branded products too. High levels of taxation policies on tobacco products make this a growing and attractive market for criminals seeking a quick profit; it is a growing global problem.

"BAT's Anti-illicit trade Intelligence Unit will use Intellicase to record, track, investigate and prosecute organisations that operate against Tobacco Control frameworks. The ABM systems will enable a single repeatable approach to all counterfeiting and smuggling investigations across the globe."

Intellicase brings together the recording, investigation and resolution reporting of all incidents that have a potentially negative impact on business performance, reputation and customer service - and ultimately, profitability. abmpegasus Source Management facilitates the management and oversight of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS). Used by 80% of UK Police Services, it provides a management platform in line with relevant legislative requirements and established best practice.

Saritschniy continues: "Having previously used MS SharePoint and various other internal systems, we wanted a single secure system for gathered intelligence, incidents, investigations, reports and cases, accessible to investigators and intelligence analysts when they need it. Having defined the brief further, ABM was up against two other suppliers. The contract was awarded to ABM because it offered a flexible and adaptable, user-friendly system to record and track all details relating to investigations and intelligence. Furthermore, the ABM team provided a high level of customer service and were knowledgeable throughout the bid engagement."

Managing director of ABM, Alastair Luff, explains: "Having distilled over 15 years extensive experience of secure intelligence systems for UK law enforcement, the total solution will help BAT transform information into valuable intelligence. This will give BAT a better understanding of trends and patterns in order to support its range of Anti-Illicit Trade measures – and all in an effective and compliant way.

"Implementation is set to begin this month and ABM will be working in close partnership with BAT to configure the solutions to meet BAT’s exact needs throughout the first quarter of 2010."