techrecovery | Urge to kill: Rising

So.

Part of my current job is taking SQL database export files, which are generated on a nightly basis, and PGP-encrypting them then delivering them to their respective clients. Common delivery methods include placing on their FTP server, placing on our FTP server for their download, or emailing.

I am going to tell you a story about an automated job scheduled to run on Monday nights, but I'm going to do it indirectly by the expedient of summarizing emails back and forth.

*** Note: Paraphrased heavily. I don't ACTUALLY make a habit of cursing out my senior coworkers... but I was sure as hell tempted.

Dramatis personae:
Kiz: Me
Ken: Data specialist who writes the automated export jobs and manually runs the ones which are not automated; generally speaking the person in charge of all the exports (Names not changed because I'm not too much interested in protecting the guilty)
Scott: Automated eligibility specialist; point of contact at client

From: Kiz
To: Ken
Subject: Export status
Tue 11/14/2006 8:14AM

The most recent file for EAS Cigna was dated 11/8. Is it possible that this job wasn't rescheduled back to Mondays after (major clusterfuck last week)? It goes out today and needs to be on our FTP site by 1:30PM EST for their pickup, so that needs to be resolved post-haste.

From: Scott
To: Kiz
Subject: Re: (client)
Wed 11/15/2006 2:20PM

Kiz,
Are you currently placing a file on your server?

From: Kiz
To: Scott
Subject: Re: Re: (client)
Wed 11/15/2006 3:30PM

Scott,

The file should have been available on the server. I'm running your export manually and you should have the file available in a few minutes.

From: Kiz
To: Ken
Subject: What the fuck, over? Strong words follow.
Wed 11/15/2006 3:31PM

What part of "needs to be out by 1:30PM" did you not understand in my email yesterday?

I need you to run that feed manually right now so I can send the export file to the client. He emailed me an hour ago asking where it is. I also need you to look at the scheduling and see if you can figure out why it's not running.

From: Ken
To: Kiz
Subject: Re: What the fuck, over? Strong words follow.
Wed 11/15/2006: 3:46PM

ok, file is done.

From: Kiz
To: Scott
Subject: Re: Re: (client)
Wed 11/15/2006 3:47PM

Scott,

The file has been manually run and is now available for your pickup.

I'm continuing to ~~beat the hell out of my data specialist~~ investigate the issue and will follow up with you and let you know when it has been resolved.