Two years ago, C+D published a technology special that explored how pharmacy systems might evolve by 2013, 2022 and 2062. The experts who contributed confidently forecast a wonderfully whizzy world of remote connections, clouds and automatic remuneration.

Well, we're already past that first date and, based on his exasperating experience this week, Xrayser would no doubt still disagree with the assertion that an EPOS system can simplify your business and save time.

That's the thing with technology: great in theory and when it works. When it doesn't, it doesn't just fail to be the enabler it is intended to be, it becomes an active hindrance, more time-consuming than its analogue alternative.

And so to C+D's EPS troubleshooter, in which the Health and Social Care Information Centre tackles readers' bugbears about the beleaguered service. Grateful as we are to senior implementation manager Jason Clarke for providing these answers, it remains frustrating that most of them boil down to: report the problem to your system supplier.

When technology doesn't work, it doesn't just fail to be the enabler it is intended to be, it becomes an active hindrance, more time-consuming than its analogue alternative