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3 Synlait rescue plan back on track Vol 22 No 36 | September 16, 2024
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Red faces at OSPRI as upgrade fails TECHNOLOGY
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Livestock
SPRI has apologised to farmers and its shareholders after major flaws were found in a technology upgrade project. An independent review of its Information Systems Strategic Programme (ISSP) identified issues with the technology project that was meant to integrate its animal disease management and traceability systems. The review identified problems in every aspect of the programme, including the way it was governed and the suitability of the technology itself.
The costs of running it would be ridiculously high. Dr Paul Reynolds OSPRI Chair Dr Paul Reynolds said OSPRI had let itself and its stakeholders down. “The OSPRI board and management apologise to farmers and partner organisations that the improvements promised have not been delivered in a timely manner.” Reynolds stressed that this issue did not impact OSPRI’s current disease management and animal tracing systems. “There is no risk to the
assurances needed for export purposes and our shareholders can be assured that with their continued participation, our warning systems are as good as any in the world.” Early progress on developing the new platform went well, but Reynolds said delays and cost concerns raised the alarm. “The board was asking questions and receiving assurances and it put in independent reviewers to check on progress and to ask the question, ‘Is it reasonable for us to assume that this platform is going to be delivered on time or within the new timeframe, and is going to be successful?’ “And we received those assurances. However, delays continued and our former chief executive was increasingly uncomfortable and in the end the board decided that we would pause the program.” Reynolds said the independent review made it clear that the project would not deliver what was required. “Most importantly, and catastrophically, [the review found] issues with the complexity of the technology, platforms and architecture. It became increasingly apparent that what ultimately was going to be built was just going to be ruinously expensive to run. “So we had issues about the complexity of the platform, issues Continued page 3
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