The Year 2000

You've probably heard about the problem and have taken one of three positions:

1) Met the problem head on and are working on a resolution
Congratulations, you have a good grasp on reality and will probably
succeed in your endeavor.

2) Are waiting for someone else to fix the problem
There is no magic formula, and the longer you wait the
more at risk your business becomes

3) Have decided there is no real threat - just a bunch of hype
Certainly there is a great deal of hype and media scare, but the threat
is real.  Even if airplanes don't start falling from the sky, your
Accounts Receivable may be improperly aged, sort routines
all messed up and reports inoperable. In other words,
your January 2000 headaches are not from too
much partying on New Year's Eve
but from too little planning.

What Should You Do?

1) Begin a comprehensive review of all your computer systems
Not only your "home grown" applications, but get a letter
of compliance from any software / hardware vendor

2) Start testing your applications, by setting the date to 1/1/2000
Can you enter in dates as 2000 or are they 00?
Do your reports sort correctly?
Does your select criteria work correctly?
Are your receivables / payables aged correctly?
Are all file names free of dates?

3) If you answered "NO" to any of the above questions - you've got problems.
Begin working on a solution immediately.
This needs to be a number one priority for your IT staff.
If you don't have the resources internally - BUY MORE!

Confused?  Inspired? Looking for help?
Give  Geoff Turner a call at (518) 782-1472

Copyright © 1998, Hickory Publications of Latham, NY  U.S.A.