Terry Boldick had no time for present shopping in the week leading up to Christmas 1998. A consultant with Unisys, the computer company, he was too busy working against the clock tackling problems with a new and critically important information technology system which had just been installed at The Woolwich financial services group. In other words, it tended to fall over in an unpredictable manner when used for real world applications.
Companies frequently experience difficulties when bedding down new computer systems.
So a few hiccoughs were to be expected. A great deal, however, was riding on this system. In addition to traditional branches, it included the telephone, the cash machine, the internet, the mobile phone and interactive television. Customers would receive a single monthly statement of all their dealings with the bank. The Woolwich would have a comprehensive view of each of its customers.