Great new IT systems (not) Part 1

For many years we had a very workable timetabling system at the university, with local input and control. Now we have a new expensive centralised system that is not only determined to ensure our classes start at 8 and finish at 6 (‘utilisation’) but also to ensure that staff and students get different views of the timetable (it’s so secret I have to log in to see it), leading to great confusion and timewasting. I had half a class at my 8am lecture this morning due to this new system. Example 1 of how not to do software by putting macro corporate policy over practical requirements on the ground (more to follow)