Kubota ordering system outage coming?

[DianneInVa]

Niel @ Messick's just dropped a video further explaining what/why/how the "blackout" is happening:

Unbelievable.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Unbelievable.

Why is it unbeliveable?
Their computer software system needs updated and that takes time!

 

[BAP]

So many people are getting their panties in a wad over something that has a good chance of not affecting them. If it wasn’t for the internet broadcasting this, nobody outside of Kubota and the dealers would even know about this. Other companies do similar type things all the time. It may vary on the time they are closed, but it happens.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Sure computers get 'updated' all the time but my 'gripe' is that there is ZERO need to shut down operations, especially today when hardware is dirt cheap. Companies should have hot,warm and cold backup systems so that 'operations' continue while the new software is being tested,thoroughly tested.
One of the silly banks I deal with just did a 'new look' upgrade and of course stuff isn't where it used to be....however the big 'booboo' is that you can't change the 'order of transactions' from 'newest to oldest' to 'oldest to newest'. The former show the most recent transaction at the top of the list which ISN'T the way ANY calendar I know of works..... seems the IT dept. NEVER checked it out and after 3 weeks ,still haven't added 7 lines of code to FIX their 'booboo'.
Sadly most people just shrug it off, oh well, whatever,......

 

[lugbolt]

Sure hope they get it right the first time. I've seen the results when this happens. Usually ends up costing the dealer in one way or another. Also costs the customer. Went through it-several times and not just with kubota.

case in point we (dealer) had to switch our business system. We had switched from one to another about 5 years prior, and it worked just fine-was simple to use and made things really easy for everyone (boss, financing, sales, service, parts, everyone). Well new company bought out the old and they decided they were gonna "streamline" everything so that all the dealers could use the same system. Ok whatever. New system was supposedly "that much better" and the new system ended up being a total nightmare. A basic system makes things easy; their system made things MUCH more complicated. There were but a few functions that were easier, everything else overcomplicated. To complete a OTC parts sale, you had to go through no less than 13 steps. Old system was 2 steps. So a business system-whose basic function is to make things faster and easier-did the exact opposite. I was over at the dealer a while back buying a few parts for my mom's mower and they're still using it. I called in what I needed and they had it boxed up and ready to go. Took 8 minutes to go through all the steps needed to make the sale; I watched it on the screen and even told the guy that I'm glad I don't have to deal with that garbage anymore.

So yeah, they're making upgrades and it's been my experience that upgrades aren't always 'better' for everyone. So I'm a little skeptical. I hope it works better for everyone though. I really do. Especially improvements in warranty claims processing-that is/was a MUCH needed change.

 

[jkrubi12]

I would guess that such a major 'upgrade' will also involve new hardware. I wonder if dealers have been advised to look into new soft/hardware for their outlets.

 

[whitetiger]

I would guess that such a major 'upgrade' will also involve new hardware. I wonder if dealers have been advised to look into new soft/hardware for their outlets.

There should be no reason for the dealers to change anything.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

There should be no reason for the dealers to change anything.

I heard they are replacing all the Sales and Parts positions and just using AI, eliminating a lot of dead weight.
Maybe they can get jobs with JD in Mexico.

They are sending Robots to dealerships that all Mechanics are being required to teach to use their tools and then sending them packing.
They are not requiring them to teach them how to fix anything, because most mechanics don't know how to fix anything anyways!

It's going to be quite the Upgrade for most dealerships.

Replacing them all with AI and Robots will mean a higher profit to the dealership owners so they are completely on board.
That is until their dealerships function is eliminated in 2.0 upgrade next year when they will just factory direct deliver via drone straight to the customer.

Yes this is all satirical, much like the rest of posts on this thread!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Gee, NIW, sounds pretty plausible to me.....

As for dealer upgrades, I can see them requiring NEW hardware(computers) to run the NEW software(er, 'apps' ) as all the new stuff won't work on the old.

The only way IT makes money is using the vicious circle.

want a new feature ? need a new program !
need the new program ? have to upgrade the OS !
need the new OS, have to buy new computer !

Sadly this is true.

meanwhile, I've got WIN98SE machines here doing stuff WIN11 can't and I have a TRS80 Model III running BASIC code that ran my entire business.AP.AR/GL. maninventory, ugh...taxes......

 

[ItBmine]

Was at my dealer yesterday picking up my RTV and snow blower and I asked them. This is in northern Ontario Canada.
They have heard nothing and she even got on computer right in front of me and checked all the corporate emails and announcements they get from Kubota and nothing.

Anyway they aren't concerned, they keep a good stock of everything.

 

[whitetiger]

As for dealer upgrades, I can see them requiring NEW hardware(computers) to run the NEW software(er, 'apps' ) as all the new stuff won't work on the old.

Dealers are not going to need to replace or upgrade any hardware at all. This is a fact.

 

[BAP]

Dealers are not going to need to replace or upgrade any hardware at all. This is a fact.

There is a small handful of people who keep posting on this thread that are trying desperately to make this issue into a major crisis, no matter what real information you tell them Whitetiger.

 

[whitetiger]

There is a small handful of people who keep posting on this thread that are trying desperately to make this issue into a major crisis, no matter what real information you tell them Whitetiger.

It will be comical in 3 weeks when they find out they must upgrade and buy new tractors!!!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It will be comical in 3 weeks when they find out they must upgrade and buy new tractors!!!

MAHAHAH All part of the evil plan!

 

[Selkirk_D]

Given the choice, I'd rather they shut down for 20 days and then be up and running smooth than staying open and having all kinds of problems.

They obviously hired someone who sucks at deploying software into an operational environment. I doubt that they spent the $ to hire a real test team. Mark my words, they will have problems, even after 20 days.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

They obviously hired someone who sucks at deploying software into an operational environment. I doubt that they spent the $ to hire a real test team. Mark my words, they will have problems, even after 20 days.

HAHAHAHA, I am reading way to many funny posts on here!
Yea a company with a net worth of 13.2 Billion, scrimped on their IT development budget!

 

[RCW]

HAHAHAHA, I am reading do many funny posts on here!
Yea a company with a net worth of 13.2 Billion scrimped on their IT development budget!

Like I said many posts ago; this is the kind of thing that probably happens regularly.

We as consumers probably never know anything about it.

It surprises me that some dealers advertise the transition on the internet with great caution.

Maybe a ruse to garner attention and possible endangerment/ imminent lack of support, they operate on a limited inventory model, or they count on a large buying opportunity for us as stool pigeons?!?!

I don’t feel a need to hoard 25 gallons of SUDT2 and 3 years of filters because of the transition……JMHO

 

[Selkirk_D]

HAHAHAHA, I am reading way to many funny posts on here!
Yea a company with a net worth of 13.2 Billion, scrimped on their IT development budget!

You’d be surprised at how many software development companies know little to nothing about legitimate software testing and “ zero downtime “ deployment. They view testing as something to get through as quickly (and cheaply) as possible. Corporate size has nothing to do with it. Remember the “Cloudstrike” debacle last summer by Microsoft???

The fact that it’s taking them 20 days to deploy tells you with absolute certainty that their software team sucks

 

[whitetiger]

You’d be surprised at how many software development companies know little to nothing about legitimate software testing and “ zero downtime “ deployment. They view testing as something to get through as quickly (and cheaply) as possible. Corporate size has nothing to do with it. Remember the “Cloudstrike” debacle last summer by Microsoft???

The fact that it’s taking them 20 days to deploy tells you with absolute certainty that their software team sucks

There is way more going on than just software changes, they shut down at this time every year for over a week and make a lot of changes and upgrades throughout the entire company. It's funny how no one has gotten all shaken up over it before.

 

[Selkirk_D]

There is way more going on than just software changes, they shut down at this time every year for over a week and make a lot of changes and upgrades throughout the entire company. It's funny how no one has gotten all shaken up over it before.

Just annoying when you are waiting on parts.