January 3, 2007 - Software Stops Because The Vendor Wasn't Paid - How Is This A Glitch?

$$$?

I don't understand why this situation was characterized as a "software glitch".

As best I can tell, here's what happened:

• They purchased a subscription to the software
• Instead of renewing it when they should have, they chose not to do so - apparently, because the software wasn't "certified"
• As a result, their subscription ran out and they were no longer able to use the software

So where is the glitch here?

His first day as county assessor wasn't problem-free for John Scott.

Assessors throughout Porter County faced a computer software glitch that slowed down the work day, but Scott, a Democrat, said the problem should be fixed today.

Assessors are already behind schedule because of a new assessment formula that assesses houses at fair market value. Delays could slow tax bills and force schools and municipalities to borrow money.

Many workers in township offices had little to do Tuesday because the software didn't work.

Scott said the problem surfaced because of state regulations on computer software certification.

Each year, the county pays for 12 months of software use, but officials were hesitant to rehire the vendor for a full year unless it was certified by the state, Scott said. As a result, a safety lock kicked in that limited work in the computer program on Tuesday.

"We should have it straightened out (soon)," Scott said. "We can't have it down long or we'll be really behind."

Scott said the county will pay on a monthly basis until the issue is resolved. He said several other counties faced similar obstacles.