We don't know about the specifications because we don't work there and since the OP said he wasn't there he might not know either. And the fact is that requirements regularly change over time.
The point is that it's really easy to judge when you aren't there and are privy to all the facts.
But we do know the OPs solution met the specifications, and is still in use, meaning that those specifications haven't changed too much.
And you're damn right I'm going to be judgemental of someone not only promised the moon, but abandoned the work when the rocket exploded on the pad and someone else had to clean up.
We don't know about the specifications because we don't work there and since the OP said he wasn't there he might not know either. And the fact is that requirements regularly change over time.
The point is that it's really easy to judge when you aren't there and are privy to all the facts.