Worst Blog Ever

I only work three days a week, and as the sole IT person in an office with a computer system that is pretty much held together with spit and bubble gum, it makes for some busy days.  Like today for instance.
We just had a new payroll system that was integrated into our financial system, and things seem to be going pretty well with it.  One of the things that I have to do is create a data export from our appointment database to the new payroll system.  This would usually be an easy chore if it weren’t for three things.

1. I can’t focus on the task, as I keep getting interrupted by staff with other requests.
2. The database wasn’t set up properly in the first place so getting the data required has me jumping through multiple hoops.
3. The number of exceptions for how we manage payroll is staggering.

The issue regarding interruptions is par for the course when it comes to IT.  I don’t have to like it, but I do have to accept it.  In the future, when I have more time [insert maniacal laughter here], I want to set up a help desk form where staff can log their requests via web form.  Doing it this way would allow me to better manage my time and respond to their problems.
Issue two has been dogging me since I first started working there.  The problem is, every time I try to fix the issues that are plaguing the database, I get waylaid by issue number 1.
Finally, comes issue number 3.  Holy Cow!  Without going into detail, how can these people even manage to enter time sheets into the system, much less pay the people for their time?  I can’t show you the diagram due to confidentiality issues, but lets just say that if you were to draw a diagram of a skeen of knotted up wool, you might have an idea what I’m dealing with.
Can’t wait to tackle another great day tomorrow!