Frequently asked Questions about the Millenium Bug

This list is provided by the NSW Government State and Regional Development Department Business First Newsletter August/September 1998 Issue 5 Page 6

These 14 questions and answers led to the development of the OICY2K Resources Asset management Program (OICY2KRAMP http://www.oic.org/3b2k.htm ) to assist Small and Medium size businesses determine what has to be done to confirm Y2K Compliancy.

Q1. Which businesses will be affected?

A1. All business may be affected in almost all industry sectors worldwide. The key issue is to work with your customers and suppliers to ensure that you appreciated that business are inter-dependant for Y2K compliancy

Q2. How can we tell if our computers are going to be affected ?

A2. (i) Test to see if they can recognise dates beyond 1999 by changing the date but only after taking expert advice on the right way to do it
(ii) Contact suppliers and follow up

Q3. Can't a user just switch from using two digits to four ?

A3. No. Users must determine whether the data that represents 'year' is stored as two digits and then find all the applications that use that data. If only two digits are used, the system must be changed to four digits

Q4. Why must digits be changed from two to four ?

A4. Because when the century changes the systems will either not function because they won't understand "00" as a date or it may recognise "00" as 1900. Either way your system may either not work or may malfunction.

Q5. Isn't everything we hear about Y2K just hype and an IT or media beatup ?

A5. No the problem is real and it has an immovable deadline. It is not an IT or media beatup, it is a serious business and management issue.

Q6. Isn't there a `clever' way of getting round the problem ?

A6. No. There is presently no quick fix. The sheer volume and variety of ways in which dates are used means that a `clever' answer is not possible. However if you act NOW it could place you in a lead position over your competitors.

Q7. Will it take long to fix ?

A7. It depends on each individual business. In some cases the process of making changes to affected business systems is straightforward, in other cases it will be much more complicated.

Q8. How do I know the company offering me a service is OK and that they know what they are doing ?

A8. Ask the company to provide you with references including contact name and telephone number and then call the references. Alternatively, look at their length of experience in this field.

Q9. Is there a product or service that can help make my systems Year 2000 compliant ?

A9. No single product will ensure your system ill be O.K. That is, no quick fix. But there is a wide range of services and forms of assistance available.

Q10. What happens if the supplier has gone out of business ?

A10. It varies. You may be able to modify and convert your software or you may need to replace affected systems

Q11. Why can't I simply leave my IT supplier to sort out any problem ?

A11. Because this is a management and business issue. You need to understand your non-IT equipment and also your critical supply chain. You may need to work with your IT people to determine which systems are most important to your business and ensure your IT person is focusing on those.

Q12. Is there any way to identify those products which are Year 2000 Compliant ?

A12. Only by checking with the manufacturer and by testing your systems

Q13. What will happen if I do nothing ?

A13. If you own or run a business, if you have machinery or computers within that business and if you are part of or have a supply chain for that business there is a chance that your business will fail if you do nothing and your business may be liable for any damage or loss caused by your inaction.

Q14. Why can't we fix it closer to the year 2000 ?

A14. Because it takes time to identify the systems with problems, repair them and most importantly test that they are OK once repaired