When tech failed in 2013

Sometimes tech just doesn’t work. And then there are times when technology rollouts are true disasters. The Telegraph newspaper recently talked about some of the greatest tech disasters of 2013. While you read about them, try to learn something. You don’t want to make some of the same mistakes — albeit on a smaller scale — with your small business.

The healthcare fiasco

To no one’s surprise, the Healthcare.gov fiasco tops the Telegraph’s list of 2013 tech foul-ups. And why not? Once the website debuted, it simply didn’t work. Consumers couldn’t log on. Even if they could, they couldn’t find the insurance information they needed. The website’s failure has become the greatest embarrassment of Obama’s second term.

Travel foul-up

Online booking giant Sabre triggered massive problems for travelers in 2013 at the height of the student vacation season. Sabre went offline for just three hours. However when it did, it contributed to countless flight cancellations and delays for thousands and thousands of passengers. It’s not a surprise: Over 300 airlines depend on Sabre.

Walmart reneges on a bargain

In October, consumers logging onto Walmart’s website thought that they had found a nice bargain when they managed to buy computer monitors and other gear for just $8.99, despite the fact that these tech items were regularly priced up to $500. Walmart blamed tech glitches and refused to honor the discount deals. Naturally customers were angry. If you wanted proof, you only needed to log on to social media.