RBS 'Computer Glitch'

[alluvial]

Reading between the lines it seems that someone has not followed procedures for the overnight batch run. CA7, which I've used for many years on and off (was previously UCC-7), is a batch scheduling systems which means that when a job finishes, and finishes with a return code that is acceptable, then the next batch job is started (this is just a simple scenario.) What seems to have happened is they have made some changes to their scheduling system and the rules put in place have been either overridden manually or the 'fix' made a change to the rules in place. This means that it was either not tested properly (all systems of this type have a test system place for this eventuality and if not then the company is incompetent) or someone manually overrode the procedures. Now if this area has been outsourced then that is a crime as the area that normally operates this product has to have a very close relationship with _all_ departments involved in IT and is normally found sitting next to the computer systems in question (put it this way, every company I have worked at in the last 30 years does it that way and this has never happened.) So basically they ****ed up but they could have called me in for a decent rate....

Actually, I find it difficult to understand what could have gone wrong. Upgrades such as this are pretty simple to manage and if it is just an update to the executables, then there isn't much that can get broken. It either works or it doesn't. If the scheduler is busted, then the schedule won't run and you rollback the fixes and continue with the old version. If it was a major upgrade that involved a major change to the scheduler's database, then this would be done using the jobs supplied by CA and should also go without a hitch. These upgrades aren't applied in isolation, they are done frequently across the world by many of CA's customers. So that leads me to believe that there has been some serious incompetence somewhere that has lead to corruption of the database. If this was the case then it is possible that the batch ran with outdated scheduling instructions with a few wrong dependencies and maybe some jobs missed that should have run and maybe old jobs that had been decommissioned run instead. This sort of thing could go on for a few days before someone noticed and would cause massive headaches as you would have to rollback all the banks transactions for a number of days. Then when you include all the associated distributed systems that would be connected in some way, I'd be surprised if there aren't further problems waiting to surface.

I used to manage the implementation of lots of these sorts of upgrades for a major bank and it isn't all that difficult to get right. It's all about timing, impact analysis and identifying the correct testing that is needed, both in test systems and post-implementation in prod. Oh, and ensuring you have people doing the change that know what they are doing.

As I said, it is difficult to get this sort of thing wrong, it isn't an ordinary dev rollout but the implementation of an upgrade that will have been applied already by hundreds of other organisations across the world and so has already been pretty well tested, you just need to RTFM.

If they can screw this up, then I'm going to start using the medieval method of burying valuables in a hole in a field.

[alluvial]

I've got a 2nd mattress made out of £50 notes.

It's damned uncomfortable though.

But I bet that crunkly noise when you turn over is very satisfying.

[Scoobos]

How the fook is it Camerons fault?

New Labour shurely

lol...

Neither you numpties (joke!) - it's that corporations are ran by MD's who's sole purpose is to increase shareholder returns YEAR on YEAR , and is not allowed to make anything other than a decision that ends in profits... No MD can make moral decisions, and as a company is pretty much faceless , leaving things that should be public services (such as banking) to market forces is asking for trouble. Blaming MD's for the way the system works is harsh, but perhaps warranted.

The belief that "Market Forces" produces increased competition resulting in decreased prices and increased quality of service is a disease instilled in the 80's that has destroyed the UK economy. We've gone from 1 extreme from the unions to another. IMHO there is very little outside of "the city" thats on the up - since the 90's. IMHO Market Forces just create monopolies via aquisition , that in their own growth also erode governmental power .. Look at Unilever, our banking system, Virgin Media etc... all screwing the customer over, or ignoring regulation, threatening to go overseas if the gvt doesn't bend.

All these decisions are made by government to increase GDP, and companies to increase shareholder return - none of which, in my opinion are of great benefit to the majority of UK citiziens. GDP means nothing when its coming at decreased jobs (*cough costs*) and decreased social responsibility. People like scores though, and big numbers - governments think if GDP has grown the country is better off.... Not if 60% of the revenue and jobs generated are leaked overseas.

Or thats my opinion anyway. This forum's members seem to love blaming political parties for no apparant reason. <off soap box, back on topic>


Back on topic - I reckon this can only work out for the best, it may well open the UK populace's eyes to the mess our business model has got itself in; and how our own government is shipping our work overseas.

[Scoobos]

If they can screw this up, then I'm going to start using the medieval method of burying valuables in a hole in a field.

Kudos for that line

[Diver]

But I bet that crunkly noise when you turn over is very satisfying.

That's his sheets and forgotten socks stuck to them

Anyhoos, it appears my NatWest debit card is working this morning, at least online.

[AtW]

Anyhoos, it appears my NatWest debit card is working this morning, at least online.

Check your account - maybe they just gave you big overdraft!

[eek]

Check your account - maybe they just gave you big overdraft!

That's one reason why I insist upon monthly printed bank statements.

[milanbenes]

Maybe Milanbenes was in charge of the backup tapes.

less of it you cheeky cant

this story is excellent we need a few more like this

Milan.

[cybersquatter]

On Channel 4 News they just asked that Susan Allen woman from RBS whether India was involved.

"All of the oversight was here in Edinburgh" was her reply.

Pity they didn't follow up by shouting "THAT WASN'T THE ******* QUESTION!" in her face.

[SueEllen]

On Channel 4 News they just asked that Susan Allen woman from RBS whether India was involved.

"All of the oversight was here in Edinburgh" was her reply.

Pity they didn't follow up by shouting "THAT WASN'T THE ******* QUESTION!" in her face.

Off course everyone knows India was involved.

Hester and the PR people of the RBS group can refuse to answer questions but thanks to making people redundant and the internet people are willing to talk to print media.