Gallery of the Uncommon

TO SCOM OR NOT TO SCOM?

Since this is the “Gallery of the Uncommon” and believe me, we have many uncommon things to tell, we could write a book about the bizarre requests that INESC TEC’s services receive.

In this edition, let us focus on the Communication Service, better known as SCOM. And here we have our first unusual fact. Even though we pronounce it “S-COM”, some people tend to say it like “SECOM”, which, in fact, is a Portuguese way of asking what's there to eat.

A couple days ago, SCOM received a phone call about a Bolivian company in the mobile communications area that was looking for partners for a EUR 20 million project. “So, you're telling me you don't deal with this kind of things? But aren't you the communication service?" Well, it’s true that at INESC TEC we have business trips, but that doesn't mean we are a “mobile communications service”.

Not long ago, we are also asked to support the organisation of a conference. “Yes, of course. What kind of support do you need? The planning of the event, the booking of the event space, the production of communication materials, the photographic record, the mediatisation, the social networks?” “No, we actually need support related to payments and invoicing”. Ohhhh!

Another request was “Can we borrow your tube?" Well, tube as in TV? What kind of tube do you need? “We can bring them from home. How many tubes do you need?" In the end, all they wanted were the tubes that transport posters.

SCOM also receives, analyses and forwards or answers the emails of info and so we have daily marvels. We're leaving just two examples here.

Subject: Remove all the plagues of your company!

Subject: What makes a giant breast in a street of London?

That’s it. We now issue the challenge to other INESC TEC’s services. Send us your gems for scenes from the next episodes.

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