Community

We've updated the story with more precise timings. The high street was out of action from 8am 'til 14.30 - over six hours downtime on a Saturday is not good for customer relations. Online banking was down for 10 hours.

Accenture have asked that we post the following response:

The article said ‘Accenture has 100 contractors working full-time on the system, which is only 4 years old, and each one cost the taxpayer £200,000 in 2008/2009.’ This is inaccurate.

In keeping with the terms of our contract, the RPA does not pay Accenture for services delivered by individuals but rather for outcomes delivered. This was accurately reported by the NAO in its  2007report.  Accenture’s rates are market relevant, competitive and were agreed to by the RPA.

In relation to the section in the article referring to data being mislaid I would like to offer the following context:

·         Accenture does not store, maintain or track DEFRA or RPA’s production data back-up tapes.  Backup tapes are written and stored only at IBM’s secure data centre in Reading.  Management of the data centre and all of its processes are the sole responsibility of IBM.

·         Of the tapes that were originally identified as missing, Accenture was able to provide records that helped determine that several of the tapes were in IBM’s possession. IBM’s own 2008 inventory determined that it was in physical possession of the two tapes in question. Their 2009 inventory check determined the two tapes were missing from the IBM data centre.

·         Most important of all, there is no evidence that indicates Accenture ever had physical possession of the two remaining missing tapes.  According to Accenture’s records we last accessed the missing tapes remotely in 2006.

·         All RPA Information Technology Application (RITA) back-up tapes that were transferred from the IBM data centre to Accenture’s development centre in Newcastle have been accounted for in the standard course of business.  While in Accenture’s possession all RITA tapes are kept in a locked data safe.

This debate is now concluded.

Here's the link to the last Finextra awards day. (We've re-engineered the process so that, if you pay us, we keep your name out of it)

BTW Liz, where was it you used to work again?

Forgive my cynicism, but isn't this common practice in the City - https://www.finextra.com/blogs/fullblog.aspx?blogid=1317 (City exposed as institutionally corrupt and morally bankrupt)

I've said it once before and I'll say it again: Tesco versus the banks is like Darth Vader taking on the Daleks.

The last rites for the bancassurance model?

The Finextra Community has strict guidelines on the use of blogs posts to promote third party products and services - ie, it's not allowed and we're quick to clamp down on malfeasants. We also have an abuse reporting mechansim where members can report infringements of the rules.

Now Dean may not actually have a commercially available product to punt - which is why some of these posts slip through.

However, the Community has spoken and it seems to be mightily fed up. As the Community bobby I reluctantly accept that we have to take action.

Dean, you're contribution to the general Community debate is still welcome - but when it comes to your mystery product, I think it's time to put up, or shut up.

Where's 'Toxic' by Britney Spears?

What's wrong with cheques? (Sent from my typewriter)

Agreed. Mobile payments are the future, no doubt about it; but it has to be as easy and painless as cash. Scrolling through a menu of multiple proprietary apps to pay for your coffee may enhance your cool in geeksville, but for us retro-luddites it just seems a bit like hard work.