Ronnie Sullivan
Member
The question is probably rhetorical as I already know what I am going to do but it's a poser for some of you to debate.
Short version: A while back I built a system for a company that installs systems. It was mainly a conveyor queuing and priority system with lanes running into lanes and diverters etc.
On the face of it, a fairly simple logic system but it was actually very complicated to get perfect.
There were a few disputes during the install mainly centering around things missing from the spec I was given - to price from. I had of course covered my quote with the usual anything extra to the specification would be charged for and an exact list of what I was responsible for.
I mean, amongst one of the many things that was never mentioned was 10, 24V dc roller motors (The type that look like a conveyor roller but have a motor inside) This alone meant I had to supply an extra 30A of 24VDC plus controls.
But during the installation I was told by their engineer that he was sure the company was going to file for bankruptcy. I know the details but that is not for here.
I had been paid 50% of my quote and at this point I asked for the full amount to be paid (minus the extras) and to be fair they paid it.
When the job was complete and running like a dream (as a side note - and I am sure many of you have done this, I watched it working for 2 days without doing a thing to it enjoying the fluidity and poetry of the movement) I pass-worded the plc (I have only done that twice before to my recollection) as a tool to ensure payment of the extras.
They paid the extras with a grudge (saying they had lost money on the job and were now going bankrupt) I knew different.
And that was that. They did go bust and ceased to trade. (and it was nothing to do with this job) THE END.
Ah but no! 6 months down the line they have resurfaced as a new company and have put an identical system in elsewhere. They have used (much cheaper European) labour using my CAD drawings etc and it has run into trouble. ie won't work properly.
They want my program. (I meant to take the password off after full payment but I have never been near the place since)
They know it's pass-worded as they have tried to upload it.
Now to be fair, I always send the finished program to the customer when all the tweaking and alterations are complete but they went bust and there was no one to send it to.
What would you do?
Short version: A while back I built a system for a company that installs systems. It was mainly a conveyor queuing and priority system with lanes running into lanes and diverters etc.
On the face of it, a fairly simple logic system but it was actually very complicated to get perfect.
There were a few disputes during the install mainly centering around things missing from the spec I was given - to price from. I had of course covered my quote with the usual anything extra to the specification would be charged for and an exact list of what I was responsible for.
I mean, amongst one of the many things that was never mentioned was 10, 24V dc roller motors (The type that look like a conveyor roller but have a motor inside) This alone meant I had to supply an extra 30A of 24VDC plus controls.
But during the installation I was told by their engineer that he was sure the company was going to file for bankruptcy. I know the details but that is not for here.
I had been paid 50% of my quote and at this point I asked for the full amount to be paid (minus the extras) and to be fair they paid it.
When the job was complete and running like a dream (as a side note - and I am sure many of you have done this, I watched it working for 2 days without doing a thing to it enjoying the fluidity and poetry of the movement) I pass-worded the plc (I have only done that twice before to my recollection) as a tool to ensure payment of the extras.
They paid the extras with a grudge (saying they had lost money on the job and were now going bankrupt) I knew different.
And that was that. They did go bust and ceased to trade. (and it was nothing to do with this job) THE END.
Ah but no! 6 months down the line they have resurfaced as a new company and have put an identical system in elsewhere. They have used (much cheaper European) labour using my CAD drawings etc and it has run into trouble. ie won't work properly.
They want my program. (I meant to take the password off after full payment but I have never been near the place since)
They know it's pass-worded as they have tried to upload it.
Now to be fair, I always send the finished program to the customer when all the tweaking and alterations are complete but they went bust and there was no one to send it to.
What would you do?