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Although I don't have any direct evidence regarding this instance, I wouldn't be surprised if the old system was greenscreen & form-based, while the new one is some kind of shiny Java-backed web app. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the old system was faster to use and less error-prone: those old greenscreen apps tended to be optimised for long-term use, rather than for showing off in a board-room demo.

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having worked in data entry on a green screen app, as well as the .Net, Windows Form "upgrade", I agree with this sentiment.

the green screen app was highly optimized for efficient and accurate data entry without use of a mouse. The modern alternative looked better, but a large portion of the functionality was much less efficient in comparison.

the only redeeming factor of the new application, was it allowed much of the manual data entry to be automated. This however required considerable time, technical knowledge, and industry contacts to develop and implement, which not all organizational users possessed.

That's exactly the difference. Mr Woods (the defender I quote in the story) described the old system as something a computer hacker would use in a Hollywood movie... but it worked and was stable.

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