Y2K: Everybodys' problem or is it?

The Y2K problem, have you heard about it? Will it affect you?

First the Y2K problem refers to a problem many computers and embedded devices will have recognizing the year 2000. It is a result of expensive data storage in the past. Electronic data storage  presently is very cheap and prices continually fall. Not that long ago  storing data was more expensive.It was common for programmers to write  programs that only used the last two digits of the year to represent the year, thus eliminating the necessity to store  two more numbers.. It was assumed the first two digits were 19_ _. Even  of our paper forms  use this system.

Well now this is coming back to haunt us. As the year 2000 rolls around all those programs will think that we are in the year 1900.  So for instance if you were receiving benefit checks for retirement that started in 1990, a foul program may all of sudden think that you haven't even been born or started to work yet thus stopping your payments. Or if a piece of machinery has an embedded  device that determines a maintenance schedule it may shut down  not knowing if it has even been built yet.

The Good News: Many of the important systems in our infrastructures have been checked and fixed. Most banks probably fixed there problems in 1970 because they darn well wanted to make sure they got paid through out the life of a 30 year mortgage. Many of the mass problems that do arise should be short lived and repaired quickly. Although there are doomsayers, I  do not foresee mass anarchy and the fall of mankind.

The Bad New: There will be problems, probably power outages and other inconveniences. There will be far more problems that affect fewer groups of people. This is because many small and midsize organizations have not addressed the issue. Many companies are totally unaware that they have equipment and systems that can contain these Y2K bugs. Printers, data storage and files systems, large and small machinery, building systems such as elevators, etc are all areas that may cause problems. Few catastrophic but many that are large enough to put companies out of business temporarily or permanently.

Note: Many  insurance companies are already stated  they will not cover Y2K issues.

What can you do? It may be to late to eliminate all risk.You should hire IT professionals to at least overview your business process to flag problem areas. Then assess the risks and fix the issues that are important to your core survival. It may be an opportune time to dump your legacy  systems and install complete new systems and processes based on current technologies. It will be important to take a hard look at your support companies. If your business relies heavily on certain other companies, their problems can quickly become yours. Contact them and get insight into how they have addressed the issue and assess your dependence on them.

Can your company afford to be "down for a week , a month ? If a supplier is down for a week , a month, will it affect you substantially? Do you have personnel or a company that  will be able to come in and solve problems if they arise in January 2000? (I expect  there will be a shortage of qualified personnel at the beginning of the year 2000.) 

I suggest you make plans, try to solve glaring problems, and have a backup plan. It may be a small blip or a major bombshell. Be prepared!