BOFH: Smells like team spirit

New and old IT solutions can coexist to solve critical infrastructure problems.

A malfunctioning ancient computer controlling a wastewater system has led to a potential environmental crisis for a company. The original machine relies on two ISA cards that are difficult to replace. The "Boss" initially tries to pass the problem up the corporate ladder, delaying any meaningful action. Eventually, two IT troubleshooters, Frank and Brian, are brought in. They quickly assess that the original computer is beyond repair but propose a solution using modern variable-speed macerating pumps and a standard pump controller, capable of wireless networking and remote alarming. The Boss, concerned about the cost and liability, attempts to delegate the safety paperwork. Frank and Brian, however, ingeniously lock the Boss in the flooded basement room to motivate him to complete the necessary documentation, ensuring the problem is addressed before the situation deteriorates further.

The story highlights a critical infrastructure failure where legacy hardware, specifically ISA cards, rendered a wastewater system inoperable. The proposed solution by Frank and Brian demonstrates a pragmatic approach by replacing the complex, proprietary system with readily available, modern components like variable-speed pump controllers and VFDs. This suggests a market shift towards utilizing off-the-shelf, networked solutions for industrial control systems, prioritizing functionality and remote management over specialized, outdated hardware.

The narrative also implicitly critiques corporate bureaucracy and risk aversion, as the Boss's attempts to defer responsibility nearly exacerbate the environmental hazard. The "troubleshooters'" unconventional method of locking the Boss in the basement to force paperwork completion underscores a theme of direct action and expertise overriding managerial indecisiveness. This implies that organizations facing similar critical system failures may benefit from empowering on-site experts to implement immediate, practical solutions, even if it means confronting executive inertia.