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Not defending IBM, but IBM's job was to install "off the shelf software called PeopleSoft" to create a payroll system. They 'installed' it and walked away as th

Not defending IBM, but IBM's job was to install "off the shelf software called PeopleSoft" to create a payroll system. They 'installed' it and walked away as that was what was required of them. They are now being called in to do more and that has contracting costs associated with it. The Govt of Canada has as much blame in this as anything - poorly written contracts with little knowledge of how software works.

j45 9y ago
Knowing how to buy and implement software is the responsibility, and therefore fault of both parties. The service provider sounds like they either have not done this before, or are willing to make money off endless change requests. The buyer's side in the government also likely has culpability in someone buying software who doesn't know how it's implemented.
- deskamess 9y ago
  I am not sure IBM should do something they were not asked to do. Not what they quoted for, IMO.
  - j45 9y ago
    Consultant <> Contractors <> Freelancers.. Consultants are there to provide advice, guidance, strategy, and oversee/implement. Contractors are there to be implement something that's already laid out for them. Freelancers have a tiny portion of the work to do with little to no say. Often, freelancers are upset that their customers don't want them to be a consultant and care about their opinions. There appear to be 2 key failures of the vendor: 1) There's a big difference between being a consultant, contractor, or a freelancer. IBM is there to provide expertise to have a successful project. 2) Disfunction and inefficiency is profitable. It's good such behaviour is coming to light, because future up and companies will eat IBM's lunch in time.
boznz 9y ago
A responsible contractor should ask the right questions to make sure the customer is not asking the impossible and are not going to be stuck with a useless solution at the end, they should not just milk the fuck out of them and cover their arses with layers of get out clauses. Likewise the customer should not be such a dumb-shit as to agree to/write a contract which produces a system they cannot use and not take proper independent advice. I have no sympathy for either party.

j45 9y ago

Knowing how to buy and implement software is the responsibility, and therefore fault of both parties. The service provider sounds like they either have not done this before, or are willing to make money off endless change requests. The buyer's side in the government also likely has culpability in someone buying software who doesn't know how it's implemented.

deskamess 9y ago
I am not sure IBM should do something they were not asked to do. Not what they quoted for, IMO.
- j45 9y ago
  Consultant <> Contractors <> Freelancers.. Consultants are there to provide advice, guidance, strategy, and oversee/implement. Contractors are there to be implement something that's already laid out for them. Freelancers have a tiny portion of the work to do with little to no say. Often, freelancers are upset that their customers don't want them to be a consultant and care about their opinions. There appear to be 2 key failures of the vendor: 1) There's a big difference between being a consultant, contractor, or a freelancer. IBM is there to provide expertise to have a successful project. 2) Disfunction and inefficiency is profitable. It's good such behaviour is coming to light, because future up and companies will eat IBM's lunch in time.

boznz 9y ago

A responsible contractor should ask the right questions to make sure the customer is not asking the impossible and are not going to be stuck with a useless solution at the end, they should not just milk the fuck out of them and cover their arses with layers of get out clauses. Likewise the customer should not be such a dumb-shit as to agree to/write a contract which produces a system they cannot use and not take proper independent advice. I have no sympathy for either party.