ZMP Controller described a confused and complex working environment when Tech Operations personnel combined ERAM testing with a host software modification; resulting in difficult work conditions during late night shift operations.

Narrative

We were told that we were going to be operating DARC only during the shift and switched back prior to the transition to the heavy and complex traffic later in the shift. We were operating DARC only for ERAM. Sometime along the way Tech Operations came up with a brilliant idea to 'piggyback' the ERAM crossover with a last minute host update/maintenance as well. Piggybacking the two is well known to have catastrophic repercussions; and yet Tech Operations suggested it and the AMIC approved it! As expected there was a problem; a big; big problem! I don't know what exactly happened because nobody will take accountability for the disaster that unfolded. I do know that my RADAR side and I were counting data blocks; and writing and passing flight plans as fast as we could. I don't know how many of you who read this has worked a late night shift or remember what it's like; but I'll tell you; you're tired! I've compared it to running a car without oil at 70 MPH down the highway. Now let's do it for 2-1/2 hours. It's horrible to think people should have to react and work that hard during the middle of the night to cover for others mistakes and poor decisions. For two and half hours we worked heavy and complex traffic without all of the normal tools or staffing we needed to accomplish our job safely. Last year we were assigned an extra person to have the sector split and manned by two people at each sector. Not this year? Money over safety? Instead we had the 'help' of a controller from outside our area of the facility and an ERAM person 'helping' us type in flight plans. Brilliant! If only the pilots and flying public knew. I know we're human and people make mistakes; I just don't understand why we continue to allow the same bad mistakes to be made over and over again. I believe that a lot of the unsafe operations continue to be made during the late night shifts because management is home sleeping. Unless there is a near miss on these shifts we live by the old adage; 'No blood; no foul.' For those of us who were in the trenches it's hard for us to just go home and get some sleep. I blame Tech Operations for suggesting to 'piggyback' an ERAM crossover with a host update when this is known to be an unreliable and unsafe procedure. And I blame the AMIC for giving the final approval to allow it. Recommendation; don't allow this scenario to occur again; because it is known to have disastrous effects.