Readers’ Letters
Computerisation
Those letters of complaint about computerisation just keep coming, and as this is such an important issue we have included as many as we can. Ed
What have they done? (asks our next writer)
What can one say? A system that has been forced upon us, poor and too short a training, prone to failure with no help at hand for hours...but who are we to complain? Anyone would think we have businesses to run and wages to pay....
Our system was put in place during September. Our first log in failed.
Don’t worry exclaimed Siemens, all will work in the morning. AM arrived – no system. Cars queuing ... Siemens repeated ‘Don’t worry’. So I didn’t, we Tested manually. Two days later... we were on our way.
We have persevered. Once you get into the flow... it does become easier.
Well that’s a few words on the positive side... Next? Oh yes.. the £10M + the over budget bit...! And, wait for it, I have had PROFFESSIONAL instruction on loading paper into the printer.
...read through the manuals, and above all read section ‘H’ ‘cos I reckon it will fail at some time, you won’t get through on the phone... and yes, that’s now happened.
The basic idea is good, it could work, but (VOSA) should have waited and tried and tested it for much longer... Why didn’t they listen?
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
M & J Motor Services
Failed Emergency Testing
Dear Sir,
Last Friday the computer at the outlet in my business connected to the system went down for 1 hour. We were also down today (Monday) for a while and another VTS owner with 3 lanes, called to say he’s been ‘off-line’ 35+ minutes. As I understand it the outage was widespread nationally and the Siemens call centre couldn’t cope. The VTSs affected couldn’t Test in fallback – or ‘Emergency Testing’ as they couldn’t even get a reference number from anywhere to do so. Even VOSA’s Area Office had no idea what was happening.
So Testing Stations lost money and created disgruntled customers, who left with a less than positive view of the computerised MOT.
I am extremely concerned that we do not appear to have a practical mechanism for the bigger longer term issue of loss of business when the computer goes down and we can’t Test at all. Why should the trade be expected to just take it on the financial chin?
My own business alone would potentially have lost around £800 (20 lanes x £44.10).
We must have a system where we can go to paper automatically when it is down, or we get full compensation from Siemens or VOSA.
I am deeply concerned that despite the trade’s enthusiasm for a computerised MOT Test, the system is far from robust and fall-back options in such situations are inadequate. What happened to those plans to notify us of an incident number to a nominated mobile telephone so we can ‘break-out’ the paper certificates quickly?
We are no doubt going to experience a number of ‘upgrades’ in coming months. If this system of constant improvement effects our livelihoods, this needs to be recognised either by more fee or by better processes. The commercial interests of thousands of small businesses should not take a back seat to VOSA’s determination to complete installation by the end of next March.
John Ball, MOTest Group
Why not broadband – is anyone listening?
Dear Sir,
I am writing to your publication as chairman of the National Tyre Distributors Association on behalf of our members who operate many MOT Testing Stations.
My station went live on the system some weeks ago and has suffered many problems, training (good but inadequate), printers, smart card readers and, worst of all, system failures. ...I have many concerns on behalf of my members as a result of their comments, but especially:
1. What is MOT computerisation costing our industry and is anyone in authority listening to our problems and concerns?
2. Why are we using old technology, dial up modems and dot matrix printers? If each Test involves 1.5 mins dial up time, that’s a cost to our industry of £30M, at £50.00/hr labour rate. Most businesses and Government systems are running broadband or converting as fast as they can. VOSA say the reasons is SECURITY. Well, if we can make bank transfers, pay VAT and PAYE to the government via the internet then why can’t we record the results of an MOT? or is this beyond the joint expertise of VOSA and Siemens?
I would like to receive ANY feedback from your readers on how they think computerisation has affected their MOT business for the worse OR the better. Please all readers - email me at johntarbox @ntda.co.uk with ANY comments you may have regarding MOT Computerisation.
John Tarbox, Chairman NTDA
The last two letters were prompted by complete system failure experienced by up to 1000 Testers over the two days at the end of October. The Siemens call centre was overwhelmed and those affected had to stop Testing as they couldn’t even get an incident number to go into Emergency Testing.
Despite VOSA’s repeated claim that they wouldn’t go live before the system is robust and reliable, that is just not the case and VTSs are picking up the bill!
See also Testing Times – Ed.
Computerisation – VDU flicker
Dear Sir,
Have you had anybody complain about eye strain and headaches from using the (MOT Computer). I am sensitive to cheap low resolution screens (which has), an invisible flicker and only affects a few users. From day one on training day I felt that my eyes were hurting. The trainer turned down the brightness for me, no improvement. I contacted Siemens twice – they were not interested. I contacted VOSA and they also said they could do nothing. I have a letter off to Siemens, who I am sure will still not want to help. If you have any information on this subject I would be very grateful.
George Brockis
Thank you for your letter – as it turned out there was more to this than met the eye! There are Health and Safety regulations regarding computer screens. Experts have informed us that the regulations regarding the so called ‘display stability’ of computer screens state: “Individual perceptions of screen flicker vary with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) screen technology, it is not technically feasible to eliminate flicker for all users. International standards such as BS - ENISO 9241 part 3, specify screens should appear flicker-free to 90% of users”. We have been advised that such screens satisfy Health and Safety requirements.However, when we asked what an employer should do if an employee was affected by the MOT Computer screen, we were informed that there was a duty to provide an alternative – usually an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. It is difficult to imagine that VOSA/Siemens would not have accounted for this vital H&S issue when specifying MOT Computerisation equipment. We have raised this with VOSA and will keep readers informed of their response.
Emissions rip-off?
Dear Sir,
I’ve just received my two, yes two new emission data floppy discs from Sun Diagnostics for my DGA 1800 gas analyser at a bargain price in excess of £200.00.
Depending on the vehicle make, I have to choose between the A-M disc and the N to Z disc.
I now have to protect two fragile floppy discs in the MOT bay and keep them away from the oily temperature probe, the dirty exhaust probe, testers greasy fingers and wait a couple of days for a replacement if a disc gets damaged.
Why two discs? Because the Sun analyser can‚t read a 1.44 megabyte floppy disc.
Sun diagnostics tell me they are looking at an upgrade sometime next year.
This will probably be a very expensive (from them) £5.00 obsolete 1.44 meg floppy disc drive.
But perhaps I wont have to worry too much about protecting two twenty pence discs, because they have just announced a new £5000.00 gas analyser.
Now that’s more than lucky.
Brian Quinton
There is no reason why, with MOT computerisation, we shouldn’t be able to enter our emission readings into Siemens’ computer (whether the output port works or not) so it can compares the result with the vehicle specific requirement to flag up pass/fail. It is ridiculous that the trade should be forced to buy in excess 20,000 update data discs from equipment suppliers every year at inflated prices. Here is an opportunity for VOSA to do something regarding computerisation which will be really beneficial to the trade. We have been pressing VOSA on this subject for years now but they have done nothing. The reason is simple, there’s nothing in it for them. Ed
Dear Sir
I wrote to you recently about MOT computerisation problems experienced by a number of my clients. A copy of my letter was published in the 46 edition of ‘MOT Testing’.
Following publication of my letter, from feedback, I feel that the use of the word vindictive and what it implies to describe my clients feelings about VOSA staff was inappropriate. I would perhaps better describe the attitude of some of my clients as being wary of what they say to VOSA staff due to their enforcement roll.
In writing my letter to you I should have mentioned that in pursuing issues and problems with the local officers of VOSA, on behalf of clients, I have found the response to be positive and helpful. On a number of occasions local VOSA staff have been able to resolve problems that Authorised Examiners have been having with Siemens.
I would be obliged if you would publish this letter in your next edition of ‘MOT Testing’.
Could you also supply me with information on subscriptions to your magazine and also advertising rates.
P N Rust, MOT Consultant
As we noted when we published Mr Rust’s original letter we strongly believe that the vast majority of VOSA Area staff not only take a fair and reasonable approach when dealing with disciplinary issues and do not victimise AEs and NTs who speak out, they can be very constructive and helpful – certainly this is my own experience from my VTS.
Nevertheless there is still an atmosphere of ‘fear’ amongst many VTS owners and their staff which, whilst unjustified now, may stem from the past when some old Vehicle Inspectorate staff did have a “let’s get them approach” which engendered fear and inhibited complaints. We are pleased Mr Rust has clarified his views. Ed.
More letters in every issue of MOT Testing Magazine.
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