Killer App: The UK Post Office Scandal

Art of Supply

In today’s digital age, jokes are often made at technology’s expense. Computers don’t like switching from one virtual meeting platform to another. Sometimes webinar platforms insist upon seeing someone’s earbuds as a microphone rather than as a speaker. And why does software always need to update when we are already 5 minutes late for a meeting?

Digital gremlins have become the tie that binds, and we are all conditioned to be patient, recognizing that nothing - least of all software - is perfect.

But what if the problems with software go beyond minor inconvenience and actually disrupt people’s lives and livelihoods? What if the software creates a problem that operators are legally blamed for? What if the software provider aids in the process of convicting them rather than owning up to the bugs in their own product?

If this sounds crazy, you’re not alone. You’re also probably based outside the UK where this exact story has been playing out in the news and in the courts.

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers the UK Post Office scandal:

• Based on Horizon, accounting and inventory management software designed by Fujitsu
• The human toll that has resulted from issues in the software not being addressed head on
• And the one thing that seems to be oddly missing in this case: brand damage

Links:

• Kelly Barner on LinkedIn
• Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter
• Art of Supply on AOP
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