Computer project awash in red ink
Source: By Marcia Gelbart, Philadelphia Inquirer (PA), Sun, Apr. 09, 2006
Code-named Project Ocean, it was supposed to help Philadelphia's Water Department collect bills, cut expenses, and improve services to its half-million customers. But three years and at least $18 million later, the massive computer billing system has cost more than twice its initial price - and still doesn't work. The city blames the software company it hired, but critics say the Street administration ignored early warnings about the proposal and then, once committed, failed to properly manage the project. ...... The chief concern was the fact that the major software company behind it, the Oracle Corp., had never produced a billing system for a major municipal water department.