[sims] Sending SQL 2012 data to Capita

[adamf]

We need to send our data into Capita for further investigation and moved over to SQL 2012 with the Autumn release. We sent in our data and received an e-mail back saying it couldn't be imported (later discovered that it was because we are using 2012 and the service desk are using 2008 R2), but have now been asked to take a backup that is compatible with 2008 R2 so Capita can import it.

 

Is that even possible?

[Rawns]

Not now your on SQL2012! I don't believe SQL is backwards compatible.

 

As SQL2012 is supported for SIMS and FMS from the SIMS Autumn release (as documented in the Capita Technical Roadmap), it's Capita's responsibility to get a SQL2012 instance set up to attach your data to. You won't be the only school who's made the move so they could have more SQL2012 backups being sent it for investigation.

 

If SQL2012 was not yet supported for SIMS, I could understand Carita's response...

Edited February 5, 2013 by Rawns

[adamf]

That's what I thought...

[zag]

Only Capita could give a response like that haha

[adamf]

This response is better:

 

"Thanks for your update, at the moment we do not support SQL2012, however we will be able to in the next SIMS release, in the meantime I will get the data loaded by a colleague with SQL2012, will email you when our analysts have checked the data."

 

At least someone there is able to load our data!

[Rawns]

"Thanks for your update, at the moment we do not support SQL2012..."

 

I'd respond to that update with "Your Technical road map states otherwise." and then e-mail Jon Wood directly asking what they think they are playing at!

[matt40k]

...something’s never change…

[coconurtaler]

Just wondering if Capita managed to resolve this as we have just been told the same.

 

**Replication steps confirm data is on 2012. You cannot downgrade SQL databases, and we support 2012**

Dataset Backup is not correct. while restoring on SQL Server 2k8 R2 Version

it gives error.

Provide correct dataset backup for SQL Server 2k8 R2 Version

 

Thanks

[Rawns]

Just wondering if Capita managed to resolve this as we have just been told the same.

 

**Replication steps confirm data is on 2012. You cannot downgrade SQL databases, and we support 2012**

Dataset Backup is not correct. while restoring on SQL Server 2k8 R2 Version

it gives error.

Provide correct dataset backup for SQL Server 2k8 R2 Version

 

Thanks

 

This is crazy!!! The fact that they ask you to provide a downgraded version for SQL 2008 R2 shows they lack major knowledge in the product they "support" as you cannot downgrade a database!

 

As in my previous post, go back to them saying Capita OFFICIALLY support SIMS on Microsoft SQL Server 2012 now and therefore they should have a suitable test environment for when customers raise case logs and send their data in for investigation. Also point them to their own technical roadmap and then e-mail Jon Wood directly to complain!

 

Might also be making @PhilNeal aware of this to see if he can offer any ideas as to why this is seems to keep happening?

Edited May 28, 2013 by Rawns

[localzuk]

The word 'support' obviously has a different meaning to Capita...

[Cache]

This is crazy!!! The fact that they ask you to provide a downgraded version for SQL 2008 R2 shows they lack major knowledge in the product they "support" as you cannot downgrade a database!

 

 

The funny thing is if that message came from support, that's even stated in the message coconurtaler posted

Edited May 28, 2013 by Cache

[Rawns]

Would be interested to know what the outcome was regarding @adamf's post?

[PhilNeal]

I will look into this.

[coconurtaler]

Well I emailed them back, pointing out that SQL 2012 is not backward compatible with 2008 R2 so I can't provide a backup that will restore onto 2008 R2, they will need to restore onto 2012. I also pointed out that they have supported SQL 2012 since the Autumn 2012 release.

 

Got this response.

 

Many thanks for your reponse, I will email the developers to work on the 2012 SQL Server, rather than work on 2008, you are correct that we certaily do support SQL2012

 

You would think they should know that rather than have a customer point it out to them.

[PhilNeal]

I can confirm that we've looked into this and ensured that the advice won't be repeated.

@coconurtaler unfortunately we have to employ humans that make mistakes occasionally!

[Edu-IT]

Generally speaking though, when you pay a large amount for support to companies, they should know the products they're supporting. In this instance SQL is one of the key parts of the system, it's not some little feature tucked away.

[vikpaw]

In independent tests, 8 out of 10 trained monkeys produced less errors than their human counterparts. Food for thought

[matt40k]

Will have to keep an eye on the jobs pages for "Bedford: Refuse collector - must be willing to work with monkeys"