NatWest Bank's Windows NT Software Glitch Raises Concerns Over Reliability

Strategic Insights -

NatWest Bank's software glitch has caused 48 hours of computer chaos, taking 400 branches and 300 cash machines offline between June 24 and 26. The Retail Banking Platform software, written to run on the Windows NT operating system, is now working normally, but the bank still cannot identify the root cause of the fault. Microsoft engineers have been brought in to locate the problem and prevent a repeat of the issue, which may also affect other Windows NT users.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Retail Banking Platform software, running on Windows NT, caused a 48-hour computer outage affecting 400 branches and 300 cash machines at NatWest Bank.
  • The bank has identified several possible causes for the fault, but the root cause remains unknown.
  • Five UK-based Microsoft engineers and a specialist from Redmond have been brought in to locate the problem.
  • Microsoft may need to issue a fix for other Windows NT users to prevent similar crashes.
  • The glitch raises concerns over the reliability of Windows NT, particularly for large-scale applications like bank networks.
  • Simon Moores, chairman of the Windows NT Forum, notes that NatWest is pioneering the use of NT in a new environment, potentially making it a testing ground for other users.

Statistics:

  • 48 hours: duration of computer chaos caused by the software glitch.
  • 400: number of branches affected by the outage.
  • 300: number of cash machines taken offline.
  • 5: number of UK-based Microsoft engineers brought in to assist with the issue.
  • 1: number of specialist from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, USA.
  • 400: number of corporate users represented by the Windows NT Forum.

Sources:

  • "NatWest Bank now has a squad of Microsoft trouble-shooters" - The Independent, undated
  • "Microsoft may be forced to issue a fix" - The Independent, undated
  • Microsoft (undated)
  • "Windows NT Forum" - Windows NT Forum (undated)