3 ms·

I've heard the same thing about banking the support calls for an unknown future problem, and my reaction is always the same; "We have had 2 devs working on this

I've heard the same thing about banking the support calls for an unknown future problem, and my reaction is always the same; "We have had 2 devs working on this problem for x hours, at $y per hour. MS support calls are purchasable in packs at $z each. We passed the point for calling (really hard math here) hours ago. By the way, remind me which business school did you get your degree from?"

mgkimsal 14y ago
"Hours?" In my case it was measured in days with weekends in between. Overall, I've only worked at a few 'big' companies (more than 20 people) and was continually frustrated when requests of mine were framed as 'coming from a tech' or 'you don't understand business', which these sorts of requests tended to fall under. In a nutshell, someone else got to choose tech XYZ, but didn't have to work with it. The people charged with using it are not given any authority to actually contact the vendor to fix the problem (or, in some cases, buy proper training or even get reimbursed for books on the subject). And somehow this is "good business"? Few other departments in a large company would put up with this BS. Imagine the following scenario: "Hey legal department, you're not allowed to buy a subscription to LexisNexis - just dig around on a forum for 8 weeks piecing together a defense. Oh, and by the way, we already set up the subsidiary in Brazil - forgot to tell you earlier. Just learn Spanish - I found this website where you can download Rosetta Stone for free. Anyway, Spanish is pretty easy - my son's already taken two classes in high school and took at trip to Mexico!"
- samuel 14y ago
  Brazilians speak portuguese...
  - mgkimsal 14y ago
    That was intentional, highlighting how little people who impose tech decisions actually know, think or research about this stuff. "Java/JavaScript" is the worst, but I'm sure we've all encountered others.
- benjarrell 14y ago
  I feel your pain!

mgkimsal 14y ago

"Hours?" In my case it was measured in days with weekends in between. Overall, I've only worked at a few 'big' companies (more than 20 people) and was continually frustrated when requests of mine were framed as 'coming from a tech' or 'you don't understand business', which these sorts of requests tended to fall under. In a nutshell, someone else got to choose tech XYZ, but didn't have to work with it. The people charged with using it are not given any authority to actually contact the vendor to fix the problem (or, in some cases, buy proper training or even get reimbursed for books on the subject). And somehow this is "good business"? Few other departments in a large company would put up with this BS. Imagine the following scenario: "Hey legal department, you're not allowed to buy a subscription to LexisNexis - just dig around on a forum for 8 weeks piecing together a defense. Oh, and by the way, we already set up the subsidiary in Brazil - forgot to tell you earlier. Just learn Spanish - I found this website where you can download Rosetta Stone for free. Anyway, Spanish is pretty easy - my son's already taken two classes in high school and took at trip to Mexico!"

samuel 14y ago
Brazilians speak portuguese...
- mgkimsal 14y ago
  That was intentional, highlighting how little people who impose tech decisions actually know, think or research about this stuff. "Java/JavaScript" is the worst, but I'm sure we've all encountered others.
benjarrell 14y ago
I feel your pain!