I think our IT admin sucks

techead

techead

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 11, 2008
Messages
12,185
Reaction score
48
Location
by the mountain
Every time I get back from leave and try to use our accounting system, its outdated and gives an error when I run it.

While Im on leave its always updated.

I sent this email

"Can I ask that when either of these are upgraded, that they please update the relevant software on ALL market data machines regardless of whether the person is on leave.

I’ve returned from leave and everything is out of date (not working) which is rather frustrating."

I got this response which confuses me a bit

"Hi Richard, we need the person to be logged on before we can update the XXXXX exe file, as it is dependent on the individual’s profile. IT can’t log in with their Administrator rights to do this.

Natalie can give you more details, but this is unfortunately the problem we always have."

Now surely with the power of the Admin you should be able to update a software package while the person is on leave? To update it, they run a EXE which unpacks into the Program Files folder

:confused:
 
Well there might be certain changes that require you to be logged on either way, it could probably done via a logon script

But dont worry, you're not alone most IT admins suck
 
Well depends on the application, but I see method to the madness.

If he updates it as Admin, when the next update comes out you with less rights than admin will not be able to update the file.
 
Is he terrible overall? Its a bit harsh to say he sucks because of software that requires manual updates...

yea it depends on the application. Sounds like the program only operates for the user it was installed by. I suppose he could play around with folder permissions, do the install and then run the software as another user to see if its a permission-based problem.

IT could place a login script on your profile in AD so as soon as you log in the file updates. Or he could put a batch file that runs on start up which points to the file on the network and runs it. If it's a widely used accounting software there may be switches for the installer to allow it to be installed silently without the user knowing.

What software is it btw?
 
Always blame it on the IT guys....

certain apps are installed onto a specific user account, now your IT admin could've reset your login password if you are running AD and ran the update but than you would've got to the office this morning and tried to login and get an error msg "incorrect password".

you would still have complained only difference it would gone like who gave you permission to reset my account password so either way it's IT fault.
 
Last edited:
Well he could run an AD script the problem with that is if there is no way to check an update is already applied it would need to run each time you log in. Some programs do tie to the user profile which means updates need to run as that user which is irritating but nothing much the IT guy can do about that. Maybe ask that IT inform users of the updates and of the location of the latest ones. That way if you are not at work and you get back to can install it yourself. I do it with the HR app the company I work for runs and is a straight forward install process which takes 5 clicks and the users ID.

To say he sucks based on one application is a bit harsh. Just remember IT has to work with what the guys who design and develop apps give them and constraints businesses place on them. eg as an admin I am not allowed to changes a users password without their or their managers approval if i need to do something on their pc like say installing updates. And then you get the usual manager that will say "It can wait for them to get back"
 
Last edited:
Not to mention the morons that complain when you do access their PC's when they not there, saying you moved things around or deleted something important. Normally you have a hard time proving that the user himself deleted or moved something themselves.

I would say until all the facts are in you can not say someone was an idiot.
 
The reason given is legitimate. What does sound fishy though is the way it was installed. i.e. it was installed only for this user, which doesn't really make sense since it causes problems (like this) and can't really be relied on as a security mechanism.

Also, one does need to make some allowances where IT & finance overlap...the people from the two areas have very different ideas of how things should work & it shows in the way the systems are designed.
 
HavocXphere said:
The reason given is legitimate. What does sound fishy though is the way it was installed. i.e. it was installed only for this user, which doesn't really make sense since it causes problems (like this) and can't really be relied on as a security mechanism.

Also, one does need to make some allowances where IT & finance overlap...the people from the two areas have very different ideas of how things should work & it shows in the way the systems are designed.
Click to expand...

It could be that the software only allows itself to be installed and accessed by one user. I've had this problem before. Nothing you can do about it unfortunately except to try workaround the issue.

In my environment HR and Finance use software that is on a central server. Some users have the software installed on their PCs (just a front-end) rather than having to log into the server. If the server software updates, it will automatically update the client software when they connect the next time. Updates are only applied once and everyone is then up-to-date.
 
nivek said:
Well there might be certain changes that require you to be logged on either way, it could probably done via a logon script

But dont worry, you're not alone most IT admins suck
Click to expand...

In my personal experience, 100% agreed ;)

9 times out of 10, I try to fix the problem myself before engaging with the devil.
 
Y'know, about 80% of all admins are on this forum.. Do you really want to identify yourself to them?

The worst place to complain about an admin is on the internet, especially if you quote their email, since there is no way they can be unsure about who you are.

How often do you go on leave? Is it that often that you see this as a real issue?
 
Like everyone says, depends on the software and type of install ect. ect. I worked in provinvial and local (currently) government and fix our offices pc problems.
Really hate waiting two days for IT (which is situated one block away) to pitch up to change IP's on our pc's so that the printers work because the power went out over the weekend.

Software updates is quite automatic. Just lock your pc and it updates whilst your gone.

Sent from my U20i using MyBroadband Android App
 
The worst part for any IT Admin is being left out of the original decision to buy Software Package "X". While package X can do all of the company's books in one blink of an eye and make coffee in the next, no one is aware of the fact that it won't run on anything higher than XP SP1 and IE6. Then IT is left trying to fix said package to work on the network.

My dad used to work at a small building company that used a package like this. It was always breaking and didn't do accounting procedures properly, but the company wouldn't get rid of it because it worked wonderfully well with quantity surveying as well as the time and investment in the platform.

One thing most users never realise is that it's not the job of the local network or IT admin to fix poorly designed software that may have been purchased without their knowledge or reccomendations.
 
Asha'man X said:
The worst part for any IT Admin is being left out of the original decision to buy Software Package "X". While package X can do all of the company's books in one blink of an eye and make coffee in the next, no one is aware of the fact that it won't run on anything higher than XP SP1 and IE6. Then IT is left trying to fix said package to work on the network.

My dad used to work at a small building company that used a package like this. It was always breaking and didn't do accounting procedures properly, but the company wouldn't get rid of it because it worked wonderfully well with quantity surveying as well as the time and investment in the platform.

One thing most users never realise is that it's not the job of the local network or IT admin to fix poorly designed software that may have been purchased without their knowledge or reccomendations.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Not to mention IT Administrators often do work that is not our job, such as getting prices for cellphone contracts etc.
 
Linoman said:
Exactly! Not to mention IT Administrators often do work that is not our job, such as getting prices for cellphone contracts etc.
Click to expand...

That is part of your job

IT = Information Technologies, what you want the cleaner to do it?
 
Elimentals said:
That is part of your job

IT = Information Technologies, what you want the cleaner to do it?
Click to expand...

I am sorry but being abused by users is not part of my job! Perhaps you should read my contract before commenting!
 
Linoman said:
I am sorry but being abused by users is not part of my job! Perhaps you should read my contract before commenting!
Click to expand...

You didn't say anything about abuse, just that getting cellphone contracts is not part of an IT admins job. ??
 
Elimentals said:
You didn't say anything about abuse, just that getting cellphone contracts is not part of an IT admins job. ??
Click to expand...

Being called from users while you are on leave, that is abuse. Having to fix bosses personal PC's the whole time is abuse. Never getting over time is abuse, not even a thank you is abuse! Users can be too damn lazy and they take advantage of IT Administrators, you go out of your way to help them. And if you can't resolve something then they go straight to your boss to moan but will be the first person to bother you on a Sunday!
 
Linoman said:
Being called from users while you are on leave, that is abuse. Having to fix bosses personal PC's the whole time is abuse. Never getting over time is abuse, not even a thank you is abuse! Users can be too damn lazy and they take advantage of IT Administrators, you go out of your way to help them. And if you can't resolve something then they go straight to your boss to moan but will be the first person to bother you on a Sunday!
Click to expand...

Now that I can agree on as abuse. I use to work for a co like that. All I can say as advice, set up some ground rules, that crap is going to eat you alive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X