Reply to: Csa

[NickNick]

I always find it ludicrous when a client insists on a bespoke development when a suitable COTS solution is available, a bit of config work and thinking through how the business works is cheaper in the long run. A good BA working with the PM, Business and techies makes this relatively painless.

Current Client Co is implementing a COTS solution for the Govt. And yes they have a the above in place. Seems to be working well, even with a few minor delays.

[TykeMerc]

From the Register comments section:

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/200...deal/comments/

"My place is currently going COTS. IT hasn't fixed anything.

The Siebel CRM is at least 12 months late and will probably be 18 months late when it arrives. It still needs extra modules writing as it doesn't do what's needed by the department. Naturally "they" have hired so-called "consultants" and "experts" to do the implementation. This is of course one of the reasons it's late as they don't know the business. Another is that they insist on trying to tell the department what they think the department needs and the department has to keep saying that what they think doesn't matter, it's what the department thinks that matters. And of course there's the really good reason that the so-called "experts" don't know the Siebel CRM in the first place and are learning it as they go along."

That's a classic example of a poorly managed and poorly resourced project.

One critical point of failure with COTS implementations is that the Business fails to look at updating/altering/re-engineering their processes, training the users properly runs a close second. Data migration which can be a pain in the arse can be addressed with the right techies and Business involvement in data cleanse so it pales into insignificance compared to the BPR and training.

I always find it ludicrous when a client insists on a bespoke development when a suitable COTS solution is available, a bit of config work and thinking through how the business works is cheaper in the long run. A good BA working with the PM, Business and techies makes this relatively painless.

[swamp]

Looks like they are going down the COTS route this time. Buy stuff that you know works and configure it to the job you need doing. Cheaper, quicker and a damn site more likely to work properly.

From the Register comments section:

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/200...deal/comments/

"My place is currently going COTS. IT hasn't fixed anything.

The Siebel CRM is at least 12 months late and will probably be 18 months late when it arrives. It still needs extra modules writing as it doesn't do what's needed by the department. Naturally "they" have hired so-called "consultants" and "experts" to do the implementation. This is of course one of the reasons it's late as they don't know the business. Another is that they insist on trying to tell the department what they think the department needs and the department has to keep saying that what they think doesn't matter, it's what the department thinks that matters. And of course there's the really good reason that the so-called "experts" don't know the Siebel CRM in the first place and are learning it as they go along."

[DaveB]

I have heard that the software was a complete flip up. Unworkable.

God knows why they cant get such simple software correct, I mean a Parent table, a child table, an address table and link it to one of the many OTS billing systems. How hard is that to do?

Looks like they are going down the COTS route this time. Buy stuff that you know works and configure it to the job you need doing. Cheaper, quicker and a damn site more likely to work properly.

[zara_backdog]

None of you have had dealings with the CSA then?

Staff were always blaming the system and I can see why!

1. IVR system cr**p, it put you through to a office based on your NI number which looked up your surname - the db it used still had ny maiden name on it and directed me to a completly differnent office which could not transfer me to the office dealing with my Case. It ment if I could not call back the person I had just spoken to

2. System updated overnight so the other office could not always see what was going on. or the notes the other office had made

3. System was slow and had a 'Scratch Pad' which staff used for making notes instead of updating the required fields.

Utter and total cr**p - Supprise supprise EDS had their mits on this.

Hope TATa make a better job for everyones sake.

PS TATA in the UK do use UK staff ( well they do at Jaguar/Landrover)

[pmeswani]

They own Tetley Tea?

Bloody Indians, what do they know about tea FFS.

About as much as the Chinese do. And that is a lot.

[DimPrawn]

They own Tetley Tea, Daewoo Cars, Corus, Jaguar, LandRover and are Asia's largest software consultancy.

They own Tetley Tea?

Bloody Indians, what do they know about tea FFS.

[NickNick]

Who are TATA corp??

They own Tetley Tea, Daewoo Cars, Corus, Jaguar, LandRover and are Asia's largest software consultancy.

[EternalOptimist]

Funnily enough, that was a problem.

cant believe this. two days on the run - many a true word spoken in jest

[threaded]

They kept hitting ' integer out of range error' on Brillo's aliases

Funnily enough, that was a problem.

[EternalOptimist]

I have heard that the software was a complete flip up. Unworkable.

God knows why they cant get such simple software correct, I mean a Parent table, a child table, an address table and link it to one of the many OTS billing systems. How hard is that to do?

They kept hitting ' integer out of range error' on Brillo's aliases

[pmeswani]

Who are TATA corp??

An Indian company that specialises in buying out failing companies (I think they bought out a British Car company not so long ago) as well as providing outsourcing services. They are one of India's big success stories.

[DimPrawn]

Who are TATA corp??

They own Land Rover. Big Indians. Wo wo wo wo.

[minestrone]

I have heard that the software was a complete flip up. Unworkable.

God knows why they cant get such simple software correct, I mean a Parent table, a child table, an address table and link it to one of the many OTS billing systems. How hard is that to do?

[SallyAnne]

Who are TATA corp??