For someone who implies that they have experience as a manager in IT, you seem to lack some very basic understanding. [the kindest way I could phrase that.] Maybe that's why you are unable to evaluate and value experience in others or understand the use of appropriate tools for different tasks.
... But then you took one look at 3am and figured out the whole problem in a system designed by inexperienced and cheap labour? ...
As an experienced SE, when I saw the type of problem that blew up the one program, I was able to make an educated guess. Reviewing the code of subsequent programs verified that.
... You say.... you would have done a small fix but that would have produced inaccurate ID cards. How exactly is that a "fix"?...
Actually I said a 'fix' to the program that blew up would allow the one program and the remainder of the ID card batch stream to function. The basic point you chose to ignore is that code that functions [i.e. does not blow up] does not necessarily produce accurate results.
And what was the design problem?
Your turn. Make an educated guess. I'll tell you if you are correct.
