Useless technology/website

<p>Being a software developer I know a thing or 2 about website and system design. I have always looked upon the Ster-Kinekor site as a fantastic example of South African technology and design. Even from the early 2000's they have had by far the best website for a cinema chain that made the process so easy and efficient.</p> <p> </p> <p>Since late last year they made the overnight decision to dump all their tech and go with a new system/provider. They obviously chose to use the CEO's 14-year-old son to develop the site and they host it in the garage on a laptop using an ADSL line.</p> <p> </p> <p>Wisely no one is taking responsibility by having their company name shown on the website.</p> <p> </p> <p>The website takes 30 mins to process 2 tickets if you are lucky. The design team must be a roomful of heroin addicts experimenting with a LSD/nyaope combination. It is so unfriendly and convoluted. Why do you have this tiny window with a gazillion steps to complete a booking? Why does each step take 3 minute to process? This is not normal!</p> <p> </p> <p>The iPhone app is no better. I can see that they have at least been working on this. Even so, it hardly ever works and is also a multi process large steaming pile of horse manure. I actually had to write an email when they launched telling them a forthcoming attractions section would be nice.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thus, I turned to the phone line for assistance only to be told that their systems are also a cluster f*%#. I got the awesome advice that I could go to the website or app to book.</p> <p> </p> <p>NO WE CAN'T!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>Someone needs to forward this message to the CEO and CIO. This website cannot be saved. This will take down ster-kinekor. The financials you are reading is not a mistake! It's not due to the economy. It's not the foreign exchange rate. No company that has given you this website will be able turn it around and make this any better. How long have you been struggling to make this site better? You need to take this website into an alley and put 2 bullets in its brain. End of discussion.</p> <p> </p> <p>Either go to your old tech providers and BEG for them to take you back. Or, start from scratch with a reputable development house that has the capacity and s**** to actually develop a semi decent website.</p> <p> </p> <p>Personally, I can't believe the Ster Kinekor board has not fired the entire executive team. I would also do some research into a possible drug dependency problem in the upper management.</p> <p> </p> <p>Your companies best friend. Gary</p> <p>PS. None of this should be taken as a joke.</p> <p>PPS. The website ticket processing has been hanging the entire duration of writing this review.</p>