Post by graham on Apr 28, 2006 22:45:06 GMT
As per a previous post I did send an email to Matters of Testing with some of my thoughts about the last few days (sent Wed evening). I have today received back a personalised (as against a standard 5 line sorry) email. Thought I would share it with you. Whilst I've included a full copy below of my email I don't think I should publish the full reply on a public forum so I have added a brief, accurate summary (in my own words) of the reply.
Sir,
I read in the latest copy of Matters of Testing that
"Feedback from AEs and NTs at our MOT seminars or via MORI research
has shown that over 90 per cent of garages are satisfied with the new
system. "
Would you care to repeat that survey later this week. I think you will
find that 90% are DIS satisfied with the new system.
Monday and Tuesday (25th & 26th April) has been nothing less than a
nightmare. I can only hope that tomorrow we see a system that works
and allows us not only to test normally but also to catch up on
entering the Emergency Test results of the past two days.
I hope Siemens are being held to account over this matter and action
is being taken to ensure it is not repeated. Two failures last month,
now this major crash. Lets have no more talk about replacing the
monitors with LCD screens, we WANT and NEED a proper back end
infrastructure putting into place that does not fall over after every
software update.
What I find disturbing about this prolonged failure was the lack of
information and help. This is probably the first time many of us have
had to use emergency testing. Where was the information of how to do
it? Nothing of substance said at training. If I remember correctly
no Special Notice issued, nothing in this magazine, a few pages in the
user manual, that's all.
The survey was done in January by MORI. Agreement that a different result may well be obtained if conducted this week.
Siemens have been working hard to resolve the problem inc engineers from Siemens Germany.
Currently working on a new ET system so we can test as normal using the computer if the main system fails. I assume by this it will not be a paper backup.
Re the monitors. Evidently the trade has asked for LCD. Personally I find it strange cos we now all have the space for a CRT monitor and I would have thought they were more durable in our environment.
Instructions are in the VTS user guide and MOT testing guide. (yes we know....) but that time was limited during the training day so it was not covered in depth. It was felt backup procedures (ET) would not be used frequently enough to warrant it.
Nothing in the reply as to why there wasn't a SN or article in Matters of Testing about the practical aspects of ET procedures. A DVD may have been nice....
It goes on a little more and then gives detail about if I feel I have suffered financially etc etc.
Graham
Sir,
I read in the latest copy of Matters of Testing that
"Feedback from AEs and NTs at our MOT seminars or via MORI research
has shown that over 90 per cent of garages are satisfied with the new
system. "
Would you care to repeat that survey later this week. I think you will
find that 90% are DIS satisfied with the new system.
Monday and Tuesday (25th & 26th April) has been nothing less than a
nightmare. I can only hope that tomorrow we see a system that works
and allows us not only to test normally but also to catch up on
entering the Emergency Test results of the past two days.
I hope Siemens are being held to account over this matter and action
is being taken to ensure it is not repeated. Two failures last month,
now this major crash. Lets have no more talk about replacing the
monitors with LCD screens, we WANT and NEED a proper back end
infrastructure putting into place that does not fall over after every
software update.
What I find disturbing about this prolonged failure was the lack of
information and help. This is probably the first time many of us have
had to use emergency testing. Where was the information of how to do
it? Nothing of substance said at training. If I remember correctly
no Special Notice issued, nothing in this magazine, a few pages in the
user manual, that's all.
The survey was done in January by MORI. Agreement that a different result may well be obtained if conducted this week.
Siemens have been working hard to resolve the problem inc engineers from Siemens Germany.
Currently working on a new ET system so we can test as normal using the computer if the main system fails. I assume by this it will not be a paper backup.
Re the monitors. Evidently the trade has asked for LCD. Personally I find it strange cos we now all have the space for a CRT monitor and I would have thought they were more durable in our environment.
Instructions are in the VTS user guide and MOT testing guide. (yes we know....) but that time was limited during the training day so it was not covered in depth. It was felt backup procedures (ET) would not be used frequently enough to warrant it.
Nothing in the reply as to why there wasn't a SN or article in Matters of Testing about the practical aspects of ET procedures. A DVD may have been nice....
It goes on a little more and then gives detail about if I feel I have suffered financially etc etc.
Graham