HBOS online banking-can't login ?

gt94sss2

Viper_7 wrote: »

They do have all of that - it all failed!
UPS failed.
Generators failed

They also have a backup site, but by the time it would take to cut over to it, they decided to fix the generators first.
Then as the power was just pulled, they probably suffered disk failures/power supply failures as servers of this nature don't like having the power pulled, so it can take several hours to get everything back up again.
Not just the servers, all the comms equipment/the HSMs the firewalls the entire pigging lot.

If only you knew what was involved!

lol - I have a fair idea.. I used to work for one of WorldCom's largest competitors.

As you say, its not unknown for UPS/generators to fail but it doesn't sound as if their procedures for cutting over to their backup site are up to scratch..

Regards
Sunil

*angelmum

becs wrote: »

Actually I know enough about IT and contigency plans to know that a back up would actually be a relatively simple thing in this day and age. Most major companies who value there IT set up actually pay to have a second mirror set up usually with outsourced IT companies that come into play usually within 1 hour of the first one failing. It just shows how important HBOS think it is for customers to have access to their OWN money! Also for something as critically important as this most companies with an ounce of common sense would split the set up between 2 different locations.
My argument with the call centre staff was his antagonistic attitude. He seemed to think it was completely unimportant that we have access to our money when we need it. I asked the question what if a pensioner had needed to use the card first thing this morning to pay for electricity on their payment cards? My need for cash may not have been essential but for others it will have been. Halifax's answer to the situation was that you could go into the branch and withdraw £50 cash if you had a card. Why could this not be implemented to cash machines? We have had an 18 mile round trip,traffic jams of Christmas shoppers and parking to pay for just to ensure we had some cash that we needed. Will we even be offered any kind of compensation to account for this or we I still be charged the £12.50 account fee for not having all the services promised to us not available when we need it.

How could they implement it to cash machines if there was a system error across the board? Staff were advising that cash would be available if customers went to the branch. There was no other alternative they could offer while they have the arduous task of sorting this out. Do you not think they want this issue sorted asap? They don't want to shut branches or bring in extra staff to deal with the high volume of phone calls from worried customers that will also extend to the next few days when people ring up regarding charges etc!

Viper_7

Their procedures are fine - the decision was made not to, and I still work for the worlds largest!

patman99

Someone at HBOS forgot to pay the leccy bill. They now have emergency generators in place, and all is well again.

Snook_2

Just popped into town to get some cash out - used my Halifax card in a RBS machine and it worked fine.

Still cant log into internet banking though...

Viper_7

Internet banking and FPS is still down - but should be back within the hour.

ATM is fine.

kez_s

So am I going to be able to go to Tesco's now without having to raid the kids piggy banks? LOL!

hullight

Was looking forward to an unscheduled no spend day!

gt94sss2

Who_me? wrote: »

I've logged in but when it takes me to the next page, this message appears:-

"Service Interruption

One or more of our systems are temporarily unavailable.

This means that you will not be able to proceed at this time.

We are aware of the problem, and hope to fix it soon, so please try again later. We apologise for any inconvenience."

I get this as well - it might be a good idea for Halifax to also update the message at http://www.halifax.co.uk/onlinebankinghelp/serviceinformation.asp which still states:

Online Availability

Our Online service is currently operating normally.

From time to time the service may be unavailable to allow us to undertake essential maintenance or improvements. We will always aim to provide advance notice of any unavailability. Please view this page at regular intervals to keep updated.

Regards
Sunil

becs

I was looking forward to enjoying the local farmers market which is only once a month but thanks Halifax for ruining that one! No cash, no branch to obtain cash in the town where the market was and farmers market traders don't take cards. I wonder how many small traders like these people have been hit by HBOS today! Not fair on them in these tough times. As usual it's the little fish that suffer because the big fish just strip the business of all profit and still pay out large bonuses rather then spend it on IT systems. Here's hoping they get their act in gear before the power starts to run out in the next few years and power cuts become something normal! Heaven help us then!