IBM-GSIS row heats up over faulty database

By Alexander Villafania - INQUIRER.net

The dispute over the problematic database system of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) continues to worsen as the government agency’s legal counsel accused IBM of providing a defective product.

IBM is guilty of false advertising for denying customers with proper after-sales services, GSIS chief legal counsel Estrella Elamparo said in a statement, saying the technology company sold the agency a “lemon”, a derogatory term for a defective product.

She also said that the “special build” to fix the constant crashes of the GSIS’s Integrated Loans, Membership, Acquired Assets and Accounts Management System (ILMAAAMS) did not work, describing it as a “clunker.”

She also claimed that IBM’s Canada Laboratories admitted to having supplied GSIS with a defective product.

“IBM cannot smokescreen the fact that its database management software caused a crash in the GSIS system at just two terabytes of data when that software was purportedly able to handle 512 million terabytes,” Elamparo said.

IBM Philippines countered Elamparo’s accusations with an official statement, stating that IBM provided free support to the agency even if it was not involved in the implementation of the ILMAAAMS.

The company also said that it sent two special builds developed in IBM’s Toronto Lab to the GSIS in May, a few weeks after the series of crashes suffered by ILMAAAMS. IBM claimed that the second special build is already working successfully.

IBM also belied Elamparo’s claims that IBM Laboratories in Canada admitted to problems with their product and that it was not them who directly supplied the product to GSIS.

At the center of the controversy is IBM’s DB2 database software, which was the main application for ILMAAAMS. The GSIS first suffered crashes in April this year, which became more frequent in the following weeks.

IBM and the ILMAAAMS system integrator Questronix argued that GSIS failed to implement critical disaster recovery measures to prevent problems. They also stated that GSIS’s corrupted back ups worsened their situation.

GSIS filed a P100 million suit against IBM, its Philippine subsidiary, and Questronix for breach of contract. GSIS added a libel case against Questronix for allegedly making false claims that were published.

IBM countersued with a P200 million libel suit.

‘Highly unusual’ data handling caused GSIS database system crash, says IBM

‘Highly unusual’ data handling caused GSIS database system crash, says IBM

IBM PHILIPPINES, Inc. has rejected allegations of inefficiency and negligence made by erstwhile client Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), saying it has provided enough technical support for the state pension fund’s database system.

IBM said during the weekend that it actively participated in fixing GSIS’s database after it crashed in March despite having no contract and involvement in the supply design or installation of the system.

"IBM Philippines completely rejects the assertions made by the GSIS against IBM and its affiliates in paid newspaper and television advertisements," IBM said.

"This year, IBM Philippines celebrates its 72nd anniversary of serving our clients in the Philippines. During IBM Philippines’ long history as a member of this business community, it has always attempted to resolve issues with clients in a constructive and respectful manner."

Sun cell sites approved

2009 R - 82 - A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF DIGITEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. (SUN CELLULAR) FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF CELLSITE/GSM ANTENNA AT BARANGAY EAST TAPINAC, OLONGAPO CITY

2009 R - 81 - A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF DIGITEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. (SUN CELLULAR) FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF CELLSITE/GSM ANTENNA AT BARANGAY NEW ASINAN, OLONGAPO CITY

‘Scrap expiration of prepaid load’

By: Jeffrey C. Tiangco - Journal online

THERE should be no expiration date on prepaid cellphone loads.

Thus said Kabataan Party-list group in the wake of mounting complaints of “vanishing loads” from consumers.

The group said they welcome the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) new order compelling telecommunication firms to triple the shelf life of prepaid cell phone loads. The NTC issued the directive last Friday.

Kabataan, however, insisted that NTC should scrap the expiration of prepaid load altogether.

“Increasing the shelf life of prepaid load is not enough to address the concerns of millions of subscribers. The rationale behind prepaid expiration dates is that telcos are dictating how consumers should use their purchased load for them to be able to rake in more profits,” the group said.

“Kapag may expiration kasi, mas mapapadalas ang pagbili ng load. Binili na ’yan ng consumer, it is their prerogative if they opt na tipirin ang load to last according to their budget. Hindi naman ito katulad ng pagkain or medicine na mapapanis o masisira kapag hindi nagamit agad,” they added.

Citing a research from consumer advocacy group TxtPower, the group said telecommunication companies have been guilty of “dagdag-bawas” for years now.

Earlier, TxtPower filed a complaint due to telcos network inaccessibility that included sending and receiving messages problems, busy network on call attempts, lack of network coverage, expiring and disappearing load credits.

“Consumers are burdened with high charges for mobile services, mysterious vanishing of prepaid load, and unwanted text ads and ringtones,” the group said.

They added that recent survey also recorded 28 percent of the complaints deals on dropped calls and 7 percent on inaccurate billing.

Earlier, the youth party-list group launched a public service announcement in YouTube entitled, “Nawalang load? May magagawa ka!” The video may be viewed at http://tiny.cc/M47Vj as it urged cellphone users to send in their complaints to the NTC, TxtPower and Kabataan office at the Batasan Pambansa Building in Quezon City.

Consumers may also text in their complaints to the TxtPower hotline 09071134503 or log on to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/posts/233606, or coordinate directly with Kabataan by sending an email to cong.mongpalatino@gmail.com

“We encourage cellphone users to exercise their right to complain and at the same time aid in the sufficient documentation of these cases. Complaints from subscribers can be used for future legislation and probe regarding the matter,” the group said.

IT added that the Kabataan has initiated for holding of congressional inquiry after filling House Resolution 1237 to investigate the case of vanishing loads.

“It is high time that telcos address the numerous cases of ‘dagdag-bawas’ and for the NTC to impose stricter measures on abusive cellular phone service providers,” it added.

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Telecom firms must return favor to public

By: Ryan Ponce Pacpaco

SPEAKER Prospero “Boy” Nograles, Jr. yesterday urged telecommunication companies to take pro-consumer steps that would make their services more affordable to their clients.

“This is a welcome news especially now that Filipino consumers are hard pressed to get more value for their hard earned money. That’s why Congress is continuously trying to find ways to make basic necessities -- such as telecommunications -- more affordable to consumers,” he said.

Nograles said telecommunication companies should return the favor to their clients instead of questioning the National Telecommunications Commission’s order extending the expiration period of prepaid loads.

He cited as an example “Call All Landline” being offered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company which gives customers an affordable option on voice calls.

“This Call All program of the PLDT is just one of the many innovative steps that can make life easier for millions of Filipinos whether they are from the slums or from the ritzy mansions of Forbes Park. Affordable text and voice calls are great social equalizers and I’m glad that one of our telecoms is taking great strides to make it happen,” said Nograles.

Meanwhile, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino said prepaid loads should not have expiration dates amid complaints of “vanishing loads” from consumers.

The NTC the other day ordered mobile phone firms to triple the shelf life of prepaid loads.

Palatino urged the Commission to scrap the expiration of prepaid load altogether.

“Increasing the shelf life of prepaid load is not enough to address the concerns of millions of subscribers. The rationale behind prepaid expiration dates is that telecoms are dictating how consumers should use their purchased load for them to be able to rake in more profits,” said Palatino.