Tcard system finally axed

[David L. Jones]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23097343-1702,00.html

10 years and $95M later it finally got scrapped.

I've worked on my fair share of cancelled projects over the years, but
this one's a doozy. Cashless ticketing ain't rocket science.

Dave.

 

[The Real Andy]

wow, thats amazing. I suspect working at that place would be very
unpleasant, as it is unlikely they could organise a shit in a toilet

that sort of thing isnt uncommon for big "integrated" software projects,
but transport ticketing?! its commonplace, surely one simply needs to
purchase an already-working system.....

still, nice to see the relevant department eventually bitch-slapped the
losers.

Cheers
Terry

I knew someone that worked there, funny enough the same system works
flawlessly in the US, Hong Kong and Sweeden. It reminds me of the
Defence force implementation of SAP, well know system totally fucked
by bureaucrats wanting to modify every single aspect of the system.
What's the point in buying a system off the shelf when you keep
changing the requirements every week?

 

[John Tserkezis]

I knew someone that worked there, funny enough the same system works
flawlessly in the US, Hong Kong and Sweeden. It reminds me of the
Defence force implementation of SAP, well know system totally fucked
by bureaucrats wanting to modify every single aspect of the system.
What's the point in buying a system off the shelf when you keep
changing the requirements every week?

That's how tender systems work.

They state a very specific set of requirements, that can only possibly be
met by one product line. The cheapest wins.

Then "while you're here" change this bit and this bit and this bit, not
that's not _exactly_ what we meant - it's actually something else entirely
from what you've shown us.

All won by the lowest tender, usually the ones who are least likely equipped
to deal with this type of thing.

Tenders are highly customised setups, which is why it could work in one
installation, and be completely ballsed up in another.

Also, we don't know how it was implemented in the other countries, was it
the same team/staff/management etc?

 

[Clifford Heath]

It reminds me of the
Defence force implementation of SAP, well know system totally fucked
by bureaucrats wanting to modify every single aspect of the system.
What's the point in buying a system off the shelf when you keep
changing the requirements every week?

What John says is right, but there's also the fact that SAP is successful
precisely because it's a half-product that needs extensive bespoke installation
and configuration, like many large products. No one person in an organisation
is ever willing to take it on themselves to sign the cheque for such a product
without having someone else to take the rap if the project fails. The most
common way of doing that is to get consultants to "do a study" and recommend
a product. Guess what? The consultants recommend the one that'll get them the
most work...

Clifford Heath.

 

[Allan]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23097343-1702,00.html

10 years and $95M later it finally got scrapped.

I've worked on my fair share of cancelled projects over the years, but
this one's a doozy. Cashless ticketing ain't rocket science.

Dave.

What is it with Govt wankers?
They have spent $95 Million dollars to try and find a system that would
replace the EFTPOS wireless system already running..
Go to IBM , Mc Donald's, Woolworths, Bill express and the like who already
have EFTPOS systems that don't charge them Bank fees, just add on a Wireless
Pinpad in every Bus/ train and there you go a Cash less system...

and my info is Free...

ffs...
Allan

 

[David L. Jones]

What is it with Govt wankers?
They have spent $95 Million dollars to try and find a system that would
replace the EFTPOS wireless system already running..
Go to IBM , Mc Donald's, Woolworths, Bill express and the like who already
have EFTPOS systems that don't charge them Bank fees, just add on a Wireless
Pinpad in every Bus/ train and there you go a Cash less system...

That would be impractical. A cashless system needs to be instant, so
an EFTPOS/card swipe system would take far to long to physically
handle/process. The whole idea is to get on and off the bus/train as
fast and as efficient as possible.

The overseas ones have a prox card that people just leave in their
wallet or purse which they swipe over the card reader as they enter/
leave. Logistically very efficient.

Dave.

 

[fritz]

That would be impractical. A cashless system needs to be instant, so
an EFTPOS/card swipe system would take far to long to physically
handle/process. The whole idea is to get on and off the bus/train as
fast and as efficient as possible.

The overseas ones have a prox card that people just leave in their
wallet or purse which they swipe over the card reader as they enter/
leave. Logistically very efficient.

Dave.

Over here in Hamburg you can buy a ticket with the SMS.