PHS temporarily down
 

I've been waiting on PHS for a while, so I contacted them. Apparently their microfilm reader took a dump, and they can't get any orders out.

They're working on it, but no eta yet.

Just a heads up

Does it concern anyone else that there is apparently only one copy of these records and it only exists on fragile obsolete media?

I don't know the ins and outs of the business arrangement/model but guessing digitizing this stuff is cost prohibitive, but would really suck if something happened to these records and they cease to exist at some point.

It is pretty concerning. Has anyone spoken to him about digitizing it? He doesn't have to share it. That would make his job a lot easier, and it would also provide protection in case of some kind of disaster.

Digitizing could also enhance the quality of the material, as these films are fading terribly.

There are third parties which will do this, without the need for PHS to invest in the hardware and software. Perhaps it could be offered as an upgraded service level to offset the cost.

As an example:

https://thecrowleycompany.com/scanne...el-technology/

Crowley offers a digitization service, and can restore/enhance the original images in the process.

Slightly concerning. It would suck if it went away. The Pontiac world would definitely be worse off.

It's going on 15 days since I ordered it. Not a huge deal for me, as I've owned the car 14 years, so I basically know what it is. Sucks for the guys who are potentially looking at a vehicle to purchase or document tho.

I read an article a few years ago that I wish I would have saved. It claimed the microfiche is degrading faster than they can retrieve the info. PHS's plan was to retrieve all info, not just the requests from car owners. Call PHS and talk to the owner, Jim. He was very open and willing to discuss business when I got my PHS docs years ago.

That is some bad news. Hope it gets squared up soon.

There have already been numerous offers to help with digitizing the data.
He doesn't want anyone near the data for any reason.

I can understand the most underlying issue to that.
Any entity or company that performs the processes could easily keep a mirror copy of all the data.
Who can you really trust anymore ?

If that were to happen , the second party has unrestrained ability to compromise or resale.
Could even start making plain GTOs into documented RamAir IV cars for additional charge.

If the data ever becomes corrupt it potentially makes everyone's PHS worthless.
If the data ever becomes destroyed it also makes them practically worthless.
There will be no way to cross proof anyones presented document.
At some point - it's all going downhill either way.

He should have been digitizing or doing backup copies of every car that has been done in the past , as he went along. At least previous paying customers cars would retain verifiable cross proofing ability into the future.

Sounds like they need an emergency tech and legal consult. I'd help fund that if someone who knows how could set it up.

A couple guys have offered free service on doing the 69 70 models , just to get all the Judge and Ram4 data completely square to the bone.
Colors data , option data , etc....
Basically each car could have a 1 of Blank number like a Ford Marti report.

It needs to be done before too much is lost.

Yes. A problem.
For example The theory is that in the last 10 years microfiche film degrades at a rate more than the 30+ years prior. The next ten years? What happens then?
There has been zero interest in digitizing this data. No reason other than……………
Have you ever seen an example of a PHS from today vs the same one from say 20 years ago?
Scary.
Wish it were different but this has been brought up so many times there is almost no chance of things changing.
What happens when there is not a 3rd party to verify a car? That’s when the fraud creeps in.
A beautiful resource that is slowly (and now a little quicker) going away day by day.
Sad.

It will be like every other car line. Usually you can’t get info. Maybe Cadillac
Has anyone looked for a reader to help him out?

This is easily handled through legally binding non-disclosure agreements. Standard procedure to protect proprietary info.

I thought I read somewhere that PHS has been digitalizing all requests since 2010.

I can see why this would be an enormous undertaking. Hundreds of thousands (millions?) of microfiche to copy with only a small percentage that people would care about.

We dont get actual paper copies in the mail anymore, only thru email. So I guess it's digital lol

Why don’t we help the guy out. Pool together, get him a new reader. Plenty on Erape
Is this what he needs. Someone call him. I throw some in,

Pretty cheap. If this is what he needs.

Microfilm READERS are just an inexpensive optical device like a slide viewer.

Microfilm DIGITAL SCANNERS are a whole different thing. They scan the film and digitize to a digital image. Often they are automated to scan each page of a microfilm "file". Microfilm comes in two varieties I think, rolls, and sheets.

You'd then need a database of some kind to store all the images in some way that you could retrieve them easily by VIN.

I’ll call mattison and see what he needs.

I gave Jim the suggestion of digitizing the records many years ago. At the time, he had zero interest, because of costs. It seems as if he just wants to ignore the problem and that it will go away. With how much funding could be generated from the entire Pontiac community, I don't understand his thinking.

Best bet would be to turn over everything to the Pontiac Museum.
They will get it all taken care of properly , and digitized.

They also have strong backing support , and network.
Would revitalize the data instead of just sitting on it for 35 years.