# Legacy computer systems and a lack a scalable telephony: why NHS Test and Trace’s latest IT blunder is a lesson to us all Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2020-10-12 Category: TECHNOLOGY Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology Meta Title: Why Cloud-Based Technology is Crucial for Business Meta Description: Learn why organisations must prioritise technology solutions to handle sudden increased demand with flexible, scalable comms systems for long-term success. URL: https://financedigest.com/legacy-computer-systems-and-a-lack-a-scalable-telephony-why-nhs-test-and-traces-latest-it-blunder-is-a-lesson-to-us-allhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/untitled-design-2020-10-12t102032-1736838813695-compressed.jpg) _By **Matt Parker,** CEO at Babble_ It baffles me that some 16,000 who had tested positive for Covid did not have their information uploaded to the Test and Trace system because it was reliant on a 13-year-old legacy IT and, as it turns out, a complicated Excel sheet. This then caused a daunting backlog of phone calls that needed to be made quickly to inform an estimated 40,000 people that they may have Covid and would need to self-isolate. It then turns out that this was just the tip of the iceberg – the phones came crashing down, unable to [cope with the unprecedent load on the system](https://www.financedigest.com/emerging-risks-is-our-insurance-system-able-to-cope.html "Emerging risks: is our Insurance system able to cope?"). The technology was not fit for purpose; a ridiculously important purpose. The knock-on effect of NHS Test and Trace’s blunder has been catastrophic. Aside from the health risks involved, at a time when the Government needed public trust the most, its reputation has [suffered thanks for the failure](https://www.financedigest.com/bezos-blue-origin-suffers-rocket-failure-during-uncrewed-mission.html "Bezos’ Blue Origin suffers rocket failure during uncrewed mission") of its system. All because of poor [technology solutions](https://www.financedigest.com/grain-and-cereal-crop-market-novel-technological-solutions-will-create-lucrative-growth-opportunities.html "Grain And Cereal Crop Market : Novel Technological Solutions Will Create Lucrative Growth Opportunities"). Whether you are running a large company, enterprise or Government, this error is a stark reminder to us as to how important flexible, scalable communications systems are in [dealing with the strains](https://www.financedigest.com/iran-deal-a-wild-card-for-oil-market-strained-by-supply-risks-reuters-poll.html "Iran deal a wild card for oil market strained by supply risks – Reuters poll") of sudden, heightened demand. It highlights exactly why organisations [must prioritise technology solutions which enable them to deliver what their customers’ needs](https://www.financedigest.com/the-three-must-haves-of-cyber-security-that-you-need-to-stay-cyber-safe.html "The three “must haves” of cyber security that you need to stay cyber safe") whatever is thrown at them – all while remaining secure. Those that implement strategies that are more digital, data-driven and cloud-based, will be the ones to thrive [moving forwards](https://www.financedigest.com/life-is-moving-forward-china-declares-new-covid-phase.html "‘Life is moving forward’: China declares new COVID phase"). Being agile through the leverage of new cloud technologies and the removal of legacy applications, will be the first and most [important factor](https://www.financedigest.com/4-important-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-an-eb-5-visa-investment-project.html "4 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an EB-5 Visa Investment Project") in the journey to business continuity, wider business transformation and, ultimately, long-term success. So, what should decision-makers have at the forefront of their minds when considering what steps to take when it [comes to implementing](https://www.financedigest.com/implementing-sustainable-technology-practices-that-dont-come-at-a-cost.html "Implementing sustainable technology practices that don’t come at a cost") more flexible, scalable IT? - **Migration is key:** Gone are the days of fixed on-premise technology. Unless the majority of a business sits in the cloud, leaders will simply not be able to realise the [full potential](https://www.financedigest.com/embedded-finance-is-the-new-norm-in-banking-but-what-is-needed-to-unleash-its-full-potential.html "Embedded finance is the new ‘norm’ in banking, but what is needed to unleash its full potential? ") of the company when it comes to efficiency, resilience, productivity, flexibility and service. ![Matt Parker](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/matt-parker-ceo-babble-450x322-1736838813910-compressed.png) - [**Stay secure:** Protecting businesses to ensure long term resilience needn’t be difficult or expensive – often new IT infrastructure is not required](https://www.financedigest.com/the-new-cyber-agency-helping-tech-startups-stay-secure.html "The New Cyber Agency Helping Tech Startups Stay Secure"). Look for weaknesses in the [supply chain](https://www.financedigest.com/eliminating-payment-barriers-the-future-of-supply-chain-payments-is-digitization.html "Eliminating Payment Barriers: The Future of Supply Chain Payments is Digitization"), counterfeiting and new potential cyberthreats. - [**Partner well:** Invest in long-term technology](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-it-and-technology-partner.html "How to Choose the Perfect IT and Technology Partner") relationships that are right for your business and that allow you to leverage expertise and innovation, which you may not have in-house. - **Understand customer needs:** Always put your customers first. Analysing [customer behaviours using the correct technology will be key](https://www.financedigest.com/why-transforming-the-back-office-is-key-to-customer-experience-success-in-financial-services.html "Why Transforming the Back-Office is Key to Customer Experience Success in Financial Services") to building a more personal and less transactional approach to operating. Coping with spikes in demand by using flexible, scalable comms [systems will also be crucial to operating](https://www.financedigest.com/robot-operating-system-market-is-witnessing-a-sustainable-growth-due-to-increase-in-demand-scrutinized-in-the-new-analysis.html "Robot Operating System Market is witnessing a Sustainable Growth Due to Increase in Demand Scrutinized in the New Analysis") smoothy and avoiding potential downtime. - **Remember your team:** [Moving to upgraded flexible technology](https://www.financedigest.com/moving-at-the-speed-of-light-how-new-technology-is-acting-as-a-catalyst-for-rapid-drug-discovery.html "Moving at the speed of light: How new technology is acting as a catalyst for rapid drug discovery") solution should ultimately make teams less stressed, more efficient, more productive, and happier. However, do not forget the journey to getting there. Leaders should take the reins, leading from the front to organise and attend regular training to ensure every member of the [company is getting the most out of any new platforms implemented](https://www.financedigest.com/why-are-companies-implementing-crypto-payments.html "Why are companies implementing crypto payments?"). --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---