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Background Information

Recently, you may have heard or read a lot about the year 2000 issue (or Y2K) – commonly know as the "Millennium Bug."

The change from the 1990s to 2000 has produced a unique set of circumstances for every business. Many computer systems, software and software-controlled electronics rely on the storage and use of dates. These systems and packages were developed without taking into account the implications of the century date change. The result is the Millennium Bug.

Why is there a problem?

In the early days of computers, computer memory capacity was limited and expensive. The IT industry decided to save precious memory by representing year dates using only the last two digits. 1985 was 85, and so on. By implication 2000 becomes 00 in IT shorthand. Whereas people intuitively understand the two digit date as being in one century or the next, computers are not programmed to interpret dates in this way. This is when the Millennium Bug can strike.

The Bug

The problem can affect all computer systems which use dates, including hardware and software. Systems may give unpredictable results, stop working, shut down or refuse to accept instructions. Data can be corrupted.

To deal with the Bug, it must be ensured that every system sensitive to dates and calendars will continue to function without interruption. The systems must also recognise that the year 2000 will be a leap year with a 29th February 2000 date.

The Millennium Bug does not wait until the end of 1999 - already some systems which make use of future dates - credit, debit and bank cards, long term order and supply, forecasting systems - are refusing to process new date instructions.

Every company will need to examine every aspect of its day-to-day activities to identify problem areas.

Software and Hardware

The Millennium Bug mostly affects software, though hardware may also be at risk. Some is already Millennium-ready but not all, especially if it has been customised for your business. Assume you are at risk until you can prove otherwise.  

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