Telent has urged the UK defence sector to place greater emphasis on integrating new technologies with existing systems, an argument set out by Strategy and Development Director Barry Zielinski.

Investment in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and other emerging technologies will not deliver a meaningful operational advantage unless those tools can work together within a wider operational framework, Zielinski said.

He argued that the operating environment is shifting quickly as adversaries adapt faster, technology cycles shorten and the line between physical and digital battlefields becomes less distinct. In that context, military success depends less on the strength of any single platform or sensor and more on the speed at which armed forces can connect information, decisions and operational effects across domains.

The comments reflect a wider debate in defence procurement and military planning, as governments and suppliers pay more attention to artificial intelligence, cyber tools, advanced sensors and space-based assets. In Zielinski’s view, these systems should be judged not in isolation but by how well they connect with networks, data systems, command structures and personnel.

Integration focus

Communications networks, operational facilities and digital systems form the foundation of modern military capability because they allow information to move securely and reliably, according to Zielinski. He said resilience and security must be built in from the start through approaches such as secure-by-design and zero-trust principles.

That view places infrastructure at the centre of defence modernisation rather than treating it as a support function. It also shifts part of the discussion away from procuring new tools and towards ensuring that existing and new assets can share data and support decisions coherently.

Artificial intelligence has become a major topic in defence because of its potential to process information and support decision-making. Zielinski said that potential depends on more basic conditions, including data quality and the resilience of the infrastructure that carries it.

If communications, trusted data and secure networks are unavailable or compromised, the value of more advanced systems is reduced, he said. In practice, that means creating decision advantage is not only about software or platforms, but also about the systems and physical assets that underpin them.

Human role

Zielinski also addressed automation, which is drawing attention across defence organisations seeking greater efficiency and a faster operational tempo. He said its main value often lies in reducing repetitive work rather than replacing people.

He cited predictive maintenance, autonomous monitoring, automated network management and logistics optimisation as examples. Those uses can free skilled personnel to focus on tasks where judgement and experience remain essential, he said.

“The most effective technologies do not replace human capability – they amplify it,” Zielinski said.

The argument comes as defence planners increasingly talk about integrated operations across land, sea, air, cyber and space. In that model, infrastructure such as communications, transport, energy and digital systems becomes more strategically important because it links the movement of people, information and resources.

Zielinski pointed to the Falkland Islands as an example of how infrastructure supports long-term readiness, citing runway infrastructure as part of maintaining strategic capability. The example illustrated how closely linked infrastructure and operational output are becoming.

From pilots to deployment

Zielinski also argued that the UK already has access to much of the technology needed for future operations. The central question, he said, is whether those technologies can be integrated and adopted quickly enough to meet operational needs.

That places emphasis on collaboration between government, industry, academia, small and medium-sized enterprises and the Armed Forces. Combining those perspectives can improve the practical design of technology and help integrate it into future capability, he said.

He set out three priorities for defence organisations: connecting networks, data, platforms, people and infrastructure; improving collaboration across the sector; and moving beyond demonstrations, pilot schemes and concepts so new systems reach operators more quickly.

The broader message is that military advantage is likely to depend on how effectively defence organisations bring together people, infrastructure, data and digital systems, rather than on who has the best single piece of equipment. “The question is not whether the technology is available. The question is whether it can be integrated quickly enough to provide the Armed Forces with a genuine operational advantage,” Zielinski said.

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Alphatax has acquired TP Accurate and Intra Pricing Solutions, expanding its transfer pricing software offering.

The acquisitions add two products to the group’s tax technology portfolio. TP Accurate develops software for intra-group financing arrangements, while Intra Pricing Solutions offers TPGenie, a tool that uses automation and artificial intelligence to produce transfer pricing documentation for multinational companies and advisers.

Transfer pricing has become a growing focus for tax departments as regulators increase scrutiny of how multinational groups price transactions between related entities. Companies often manage financing analysis, documentation and compliance through separate systems, leaving tax teams with fragmented processes and greater audit exposure.

The additions broaden Alphatax’s coverage across the transfer pricing workflow. The products are intended to help customers manage compliance more efficiently, strengthen governance and reduce audit risk.

The transactions also form part of a broader platform strategy at the business, previously known as Tax Systems. Alphatax’s long-term goal is to build a single operating system for tax, bringing together compliance areas that have traditionally been managed through standalone tools.

Bruce Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Alphatax, said the deals supported that strategy.

“This is another important step in our growth strategy and reflects our continued investment in creating a more connected future for tax,” said Bruce Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Alphatax.

“Transfer pricing is one of the most complex areas of tax compliance, with increasing regulatory scrutiny and growing demands on tax teams. Bringing TP Accurate and Intra Pricing Solutions into Alphatax adds market-leading capabilities that deliver immediate value for customers while accelerating our vision of the world’s first tax operating system. We’re delighted to welcome both teams to Alphatax,” Martin added.

Product fit

The rationale for the two acquisitions lies in different parts of the transfer pricing process. One addresses financial transactions within corporate groups, including loans, guarantees and other financing arrangements that require detailed pricing analysis. The other focuses on preparing the documentation companies need to support their transfer pricing positions.

For large multinationals, those tasks have become more burdensome as tax authorities demand more detailed support for cross-border arrangements. Software providers have responded by building tools that automate calculations, standardise reporting and help companies maintain records across jurisdictions.

Intra Pricing Solutions’ management said the transaction would allow it to continue developing its software within a larger platform.

“We were looking for a partner that shares our long-term vision for innovation in transfer pricing,” said Arjen Rommens, Co-Founder & CTO, Intra Pricing Solutions.

“In Alphatax, we found exactly that. Together we can invest more, innovate faster and continue supporting our customers for many years to come,” Rommens added.

TP Accurate was founded to address pricing for intercompany financial transactions, a niche but significant part of the market. Such transactions can be difficult to assess because companies must justify the terms applied between related parties as though they had been agreed by independent entities.

Michael Vorndran, Founder of TP Accurate, said that focus would now sit within a larger organisation with a broader customer base.

“I founded TP Accurate to address a longstanding gap in transfer pricing technology: the ability to accurately price intercompany financial transactions, which run into the trillions of dollars annually,” said Michael Vorndran, Founder, TP Accurate.

“Joining Alphatax means many more companies around the world can benefit from our solution and we’re proud to be part of a team like Alphatax,” Vorndran added.

Market position

Alphatax is backed by Providence Equity Partners and sells tax and accounting software to large companies and advisory firms. It says it works with more than 42% of the FTSE 100 and 80% of the top advisory firms, while more than 30,000 tax professionals have been trained to use its software.

The group has operated for more than three decades and has sought to widen its reach across tax compliance functions as companies digitise processes once handled through spreadsheets and localised applications. More than 200,000 submissions are filed each year using its systems, according to the company.

By acquiring specialist providers rather than building every function in-house, Alphatax is following a path taken by many software groups seeking to assemble broader platforms in niche business markets. In tax technology, where rules differ by jurisdiction and compliance demands shift regularly, vendors argue that integrated tools can help companies manage risk more consistently across their operations.

The two acquisitions place greater emphasis on transfer pricing, an area that remains both technically complex and commercially important for multinational groups with cross-border financing and intercompany trading arrangements.

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Quadient has supplied a new mail automation system to Send and Receive, expanding a partnership of more than 15 years.

The UK print and mail provider has installed Quadient’s DS-1200 G4iQ folder inserter, Impress software, AIMS automated insertion management system and inline envelope printing to remove production bottlenecks and support new customer growth.

Milton Keynes-based Send and Receive provides print, mailing, postage and digital delivery services. The new setup replaces fragmented processes that had slowed production and limited its ability to add clients.

Before the upgrade, legacy systems were operating at full capacity, restricting growth and making onboarding more difficult. The business also faced limitations with a rival folder inserter, while separate envelope printing and mail insertion workflows added manual handling and reduced efficiency.

The new installation brings those processes into a single workflow. According to the companies, it is designed to reduce manual intervention, increase output and provide closed-loop verification for document accuracy.

That verification is also intended to support GDPR compliance. Integrated checks can confirm that the right documents are inserted and addressed correctly, reducing the risk of errors in customer communications.

Capacity pressure

The investment reflects a broader issue in the print and mail sector, where providers are under pressure to handle rising volumes while meeting tighter compliance requirements. For operators still relying on separate legacy systems, capacity constraints can quickly become a barrier to winning new business.

For Send and Receive, the need for a more integrated production environment became more urgent as demand increased. The company turned to a supplier it had worked with for more than a decade to redesign part of its mail operation.

“As our business has grown, it became clear that our existing infrastructure was holding us back,” said Liam Crane, Director, Send and Receive. “With Quadient’s integrated solution, we have moved to a scalable, efficient production environment. We can now take on new clients with confidence, while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.”

The project forms part of Quadient’s work with print service providers updating production processes to improve efficiency and respond to customer and regulatory demands. The company sells automation systems for business communications, including software and mail handling equipment.

Workflow changes

By combining insertion, software management and envelope printing in one line, the installation removes the need for some standalone systems. That can reduce the number of touchpoints in the production process and simplify job tracking across a mail run.

AIMS, Quadient’s automated insertion management system, monitors mailpiece creation and verification, while Impress manages communication workflows. Together with inline envelope printing, the tools connect stages that had previously been handled separately.

For print and mail providers, these workflow changes can have direct commercial effects. Greater throughput can create room for additional customer work, while fewer manual steps may lower the risk of mistakes that can trigger reprints, delays or compliance concerns.

Quadient described the deployment as an example of how mail operators are balancing output growth with tighter control over accuracy. In regulated communications and customer correspondence, document integrity has become a more visible operational issue as service providers seek to reassure clients on data handling.

Phil Hutchison, Senior VP MRS, UK & Ireland, Quadient, said the company is seeing demand from providers that want to expand without losing oversight of production quality.

“Print service providers need to scale efficiently while maintaining control and accuracy,” said Hutchison. “By combining high-performance hardware with intelligent automation, we help customers modernise production and support sustainable growth.”