Getting Sued for Technobabble
Ben Worthen’s post SAP Sued Over Tech Jargon struck a chord.
He writes:
"Software giant SAP is getting sued for failing to deliver an “out-of-the-box integrated end-to-end solution that increases…effectiveness.” Amazingly, the meaning of these buzzwords may cost SAP over $100 million."
It is time for the tech-sector to speak business, particularly when it comes to dealing with users / customers. This applies to the service desk and the sales contract. If Sap has promised an ‘out of the box solution’ then one would expect a plug and go software package that met the documented requirements of the customer.
The question is whether the customer articulated their needs accurately in the Invitation to Tender. Anyone who expects enterprise applications software to map directly onto their business processes has either studied the proposition in great detail prior to purchase or is living in fantasy land.
See also my post Where Tech Jargon Comes From.
