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RE: accountability, code inspection

• To: "'Simon St.Laurent'" <simonstl@s...>, xml-dev@l...
• Subject: RE: accountability, code inspection
• From: "Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@i...>
• Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 11:02:36 -0500

Industrial use of Internet business services that are characterized 
as frequent and business critical will be subject to contract language 
that describes the performance and reliability aspects of these services. 
In some cases, the details of the process to be performed will be 
described in tedious detail.  Auditability of transactions will be 
required as well.   Lifecycle is specified such that a service or 
architecture that doesn't last has to be upgraded at cost to the 
provider typically under the maintenance provisions of the 
service contract.   That makes it incumbent on the provider to build to 
standards and specifications that will last and to escrow or 
provide source for any code that might not.

Any one who doubts that doesn't understand procurement as practiced. 
Internet business services are not exceptions, and we don't buy or 
sell based on trends despite what some might think.   One reason to 
be here on XML-Dev is to evaluate technology with an eye to the 
issues you describe before we apply these technologies.  I am a big 
fan of markup-centric integration, but on not a few occasions have 
I told a manager or implementor that the time was not right for some 
application they have in mind given the state of the specifications 
or the implementations.   Timing and maturity count.  

I believe that those who build, sell, of offer Internet business 
services with the dot.com mentality of a few years 
ago will repeat their failures.  Those who see the Internet as 
plumbing and understand that plumbing doesn't change the lifestyle 
of the homeowner understand.  It has to work,  
and it has to be reliable because ripping out the walls 
to fix it after the owner moves in costs the plumber.   

Caveat vendor.

len

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon St.Laurent [mailto:simonstl@s...]

I guess we're not likely to get either accountants with process audit
powers or building inspectors who can certify that proposed
infrastructures have half a chance of lasting five years.  At least we
do have open discussion that's willing to explore technologies in depth
and consider alternatives.

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