http://www.financenet.gov/financenet/state/nycnet/y2kpress.htm

1 of 2

Office of the Comptroller

Alan G. Hevesi, Comptroller

NOVEMBER 5,1998 DAVID NEUSTADT NICOLE T. LISE 212-669-3747

HEVESI ISSUES FIRST SIX AUDITS IN A SERIES THAT CHECKS ON CITY AGENCIES' PREPARATION FOR YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEM

Six New York City agencies have begun the process of converting their computer systems to deal with the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem, according to six audits released by Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. The Departments of Correction, Finance, Sanitation, Homeless Services, the Housing Authority and the Off-Track Betting Corporation are the subjects of these six audits, the first in a series of Y2K audits by the Comptroller's Office designed to help agencies handle the challenge. Older computers identify years using two numbers and therefore cannot tell the difference between 1901 and 2001. This can cause serious data processing problems if computers are not converted to identify dates properly by January 1, 2000.

"While these agencies have started the conversion process, a substantial amount of work remains to have their computers ready by January 1, 2000," Hevesi said. "We are now auditing another 34 agencies to help them identify problems so they can make corrections and focus on ensuring that key systems will work properly."

The Comptroller's Office is reviewing each agency's Year 2000 strategic plan and analyzing its progress in implementing the conversion activities listed in each plan. The audits note what has been accomplished and where problems remain. The six released audits cover the period through June 1998, and some agencies may have made substantial progress in dealing with their problems since then.

After the first six audits were released, the Comptroller's Office developed a rating system to summarize the likelihood that each agency, at the time it was audited, would be sufficiently prepared to handle the Year 2000 computer problem. The ratings -- Very Good, Good, Fair, Doubtful, and Poor -- are based on an evaluation of where each agency stood in its progress in achieving Year 2000 compliance, as well as how each agency responded to its audit. The Comptroller's Office rated Finance as Good, Sanitation and Homeless Services as Fair, Corrections as Doubtful, and NYC Housing Authority and OTB as Poor. However, if these agencies quickly implement the Comptroller's recommendations, their ratings could improve.

The audits recommend that agencies prepare a contingency plan if they have not already done so, so that key operations can continue in case a computer system is not converted on time. One major challenge for City agencies is finding skilled personnel. Because every organization that uses computers faces this problem, people with relevant computer training are being offered high salaries, especially by private sector firms, making it difficult for the City to compete.

More than 20 additional audits will be ready for release over the next few months, including reviews of Y2K efforts at the Comptroller's Office, the New York City Police Department, the Taxi and Limousine Commission, and the City Planning Office.

DEPARTMENT of FINANCE (DOF)

The Department of Finance has not met several completion dates as reflected in its strategic plan. For example, DOF has not completed all of the necessary modifications for all modules of its mission critical system, FAIRTAX, a complex program for processing the collection of City taxes and fees. Although compliance testing has begun for some FAIRTAX modules, there is still a great deal of testing and remediation needed, and DOF did not provide a detailed plan for completing this work. The Comptroller's auditors were also concerned that DOF has not begun testing six of the 10 distinct RPAD programs. RPAD supports DOF's Real Property Assessment Division and passes property assessment information on to FAIRTAX.

The Comptroller's audit also stated that without detailed implementation plans, it is extremely difficult to determine if DOF has the time and resources to meet its Year 2000 deadlines. Lastly, DOF lacks a contingency plan in the event that Year 2000 modifications are not completed on time.

In response to the audit, DOF stated: "Your report contains some useful recommendations, which are being given due consideration. Overall, however, we think your assessment that we are at risk of not attaining full Year 2000 compliance because we haven't yet done all of the things you suggest is exaggerated. The greatest risk we see pertaining to Year 2000 compliance is the extent to which we will be able to attract and retain staff knowledgeable in the systems being remediated."

Given the agency's Year 2000 status at the completion of the audit, and its response to the audit, the Comptroller's Office gave DOF a rating of Good.

DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION (DOS)

The Department of Sanitation is not on schedule to meet its Year 2000 deadlines. DOS has no test or implementation plans for three of its nine mainframe programs that require modification, nor for its 10 PC programs. The Comptroller's auditors were particularly concerned because DOS had not been able to find programmers to help its current in-house staff, and has not yet hired a network administrator to address Year 2000 problems on the LAN. This new hiring was scheduled to occur by October 1997, but as of June 30, 1998, no one had been hired.

In addition, DOS' lack of a contingency plan places it at risk if it fails to meet its Year 2000 deadlines.

In response, DOS' Commissioner stated, "We completed implementation of the... recommendations shortly after the audit...We will begin work on a contingency plan during the first quarter of fiscal year 1999, pursuant to the requirements of the Year 2000 Project Office."

The Comptroller's Office gave the Department of Sanitation a rating of Fair.

DEPARTMENT of CORRECTION (DOC)

Despite the creation of a Y2K strategic plan, DOC missed several scheduled deadlines for applications modifications. The Comptroller's auditors found that no progress has been made in the modification of the primary inmate support system, IIS (Inmate Information System), which was scheduled to begin on April 1, 1998. Meanwhile, DOC has developed its test plans after, rather than before, the modification of its programs; this approach causes delays which DOC had not considered in its plans, increasing the likelihood that the agency will not meet its final Y2K deadline. Moreover, the auditors found that DOC has no contingency plan should Y2K modifications not be completed on time.

In response to the audit findings, DOC wrote, "Management Information Services [MIS] developed the Year 2000 strategic plan to include possible delays resulting from procurement problems, critical work that may arise, and other contingencies which could arise. MIS Year 2000 projects are in no danger of failing to be completed on time. With regard to the issue of the 'creation of test plans after modifications,' in almost all cases this is necessary because the test plans can only be developed after a precise determination of the problem and its method of correction...The statement that '...several scheduled deadlines have been missed.' is inaccurate. The Department of Correction has revised a few milestones. However, those milestones were not critical and will not affect the final deadline."

As a result of this audit's findings and the agency's response, the Comptroller's Office gave the Department of Correction a rating of Doubtful.

DEPARTMENT of HOMELESS SERVICES (DHS)

Although the Department of Homeless Services developed a strategic plan for addressing the Y2K problem, the agency did not document testing strategies or contingency plans. Without a set of pre-established test plans, modification testing of DHS applications may be ineffective, or may not occur at all. Considerable delays have forced DHS to modify its Y2K Strategic Plan. DHS had intended to replace its existing non-Y2K compliant PRIME mid-range system, which supports critical computer functions, with a new PC-based case management system to be developed by PRWT Services, Inc. On May 21, 1998, DHS' request to register the contract was withdrawn. The agency will now have to remediate its existing PRIME-mid range system, and was in contract discussions with a new software developer.

In addition, the Comptroller's Office audit found that even though DHS replaced many workstations with Y2K compliant computers, it cannot implement the conversion or replacement of its PC-based LAN applications until the agency completes their modification and testing. This led the Comptroller's auditors to seriously question DHS's ability to modify all of its computers by the year 2000.

In response to this audit, DHS wrote "We concur with your audit assessment that a 'tremendous challenge faces the City's data information processing organizations over the next 18 months.' The Department of Homeless Services fully recognizes the gravity of the situation and intends to address it completely... However, there are aspects of the report with which DHS management disagrees... There are several places where you express some doubt about DHS' ability to complete software remediation before the Year 2000 arrives...We believe that the concern expressed in your report may, in large part, be caused by some changes [regarding a Year 2000-related contract] that were occurring at DHS while your audit was being concluded."

The Department of Homeless Services received a rating of Fair.

NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA)

The Comptroller's audit of the New York City Housing Authority found that, overall, NYCHA has made little progress in its Year 2000 efforts. NYCHA did not have a finalized Year 2000 strategic plan. Modification, testing, and implementation of many computer applications had not been initiated. NYCHA's timetable for completion of these phases was overly optimistic. Therefore, there is a real possibility that the agency will not meet its Year 2000 deadlines. Also, NYCHA has not created a contingency plan to continue processing data in the event that the Year 2000 changes are not completed.

In response, NYCHA stated "...we have a new administration in our Systems &

Computer Services organization, which will ensure that NYCHA is Year 2000 compliant. We have a Year 2000 Remediation Task Force to monitor all Year 2000 changes made to applications and Data Industries is responsible for providing NYCHA with an accurate and complete account of programs changed and tested....All applications that require Year 2000 Remediation have been scheduled for modification, one application at a time. The applications modification process has already commenced and will be completed by August 31, 1999."

The New York City Housing Authority received a rating of Poor.

OFF-TRACK BETTING (OTB)

The Comptroller's audit found that OTB's mainframe computer system, which operates OTB's critical financial and personnel applications and a portion of its LAN system, are not Y2K-compliant. Applications that are affected include payroll, budget, profit/loss, accounts payable and personnel. The Comptroller's auditors concluded that the mainframe computer and LAN system may not be compliant before January 1, 2000. In addition, the report noted that due to the age of the existing IBM-4381 mainframe (existing equipment has been discontinued by the manufacturer, with maintenance available only through third-party vendors) and the configuration of OTB's LAN users and their applications, there is a risk of total processing failure.

One of the two systems under which OTB's LAN computing environment operates (Novell NetWare 3.12) is not certified to operate in or beyond the year 2000 without the implementation of software modifications. Although OTB has plans to move Netware 3.12 applications to its other LAN operating system, which is Y2K-compliant (Microsoft Windows NT4), a decision had not been made on the timing of the move. Further aggravating the situation is the fact that there was no LAN system administrator. The previous LAN administrator resigned in February 1998 and had not replaced as of the issuance of this audit.

OTB generally agreed with the audit's findings, stating that "Essentially the Corporation agrees with the findings in your report, regarding weaknesses in OTB's IT environment. At the present time the Corporation is actively engaged in implementing solutions in the areas specified in the audit."

The Comptroller's Office gave Off-Track Betting a rating of Poor.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Comptroller's Office provided each agency with specific recommendations to help ensure that they become Year 2000-compliant, including:

1. Complete detailed project plans for modifying and testing critical applications, which include tasks, responsibilities, cost estimates and time frames;

2. Immediately develop contingency plans detailing the course of action in the event that Year 2000 changes are not completed by December 31, 1999;

3. Immediately begin the modification phase for all critical applications;

4. Establish policies and procedures for monitoring and documenting all year 2000 changes made to applications program.

# # #

2 of 2

HEVESI ISSUES SECOND GROUP OF AUDITS ON CITY AGENCIES' YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PREPARATION: PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, ALTHOUGH MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE

The New York City Departments of Business Services, Police, Records and Information Services, the Taxi and Limousine Commission, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Office of the City Comptroller are all working to achieve their Year 2000 data processing preparation deadlines, according to six reports released by New York City Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. Comptroller's Office audits found, however, that the six agencies are in various stages of completion regarding timely compliance with the Year 2000 requirements.

"It is clear that these six agencies are taking the Year 2000 computer issue seriously," said Hevesi. "While each agency has specific modifications to make, we are confident that they are working towards achieving their compliance goals by January 1, 2000."

The Comptroller's Office is reviewing many agencies' Year 2000 strategic plans and analyzing their progress in implementing the conversion activities listed in each plan. The audits note what has been accomplished and where problems remain. A group of six audits was released earlier this month and additional audits will be released as they are completed.

The Comptroller's Office has developed a rating system to summarize the likelihood that each agency, at the time it was audited, would be sufficiently prepared to handle the Year 2000 computer problem. The ratings -- Very Good, Good, Fair, Doubtful, and Poor - are based on an evaluation of where each agency stood in terms of its progress in achieving Year 2000 compliance, as well as how each agency responded to its audit. The Comptroller's Office rated the Department of Records and Information Services as Very Good, the Office of the City Comptroller, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Taxi and Limousine Commission as Good, and the Department of Business Services and the Police Department as only Fair.

The audits recommend that agencies prepare a contingency plan if they have not already done so, in order that key operations can continue in case a computer system is not converted on time. One major challenge for City agencies is finding skilled personnel. Because every organization that uses computers faces this problem, people with relevant computer training are being offered high salaries, especially by private sector firms, making it difficult for the City to compete.

NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT (NYPD)

The New York City Police Department has reasonably assessed the areas within its current data processing units that require remediation, and has created appropriate strategies for addressing the Year 2000 problem. However, the Comptroller's Office found that the NYPD still lacks a formal contingency plan, especially for critical applications such as the Special Police Radio Inquiry Network (SPRINT). SPRINT, which is not Year 2000 compliant, is the software used for responding to 911 calls. It is imperative that SPRINT be upgraded and thoroughly tested prior to the Year 2000 as manual procedures are the backup for dispatching and assigning resources. In addition, administrative delays in funding and finalizing contracts with external vendors have pushed back the remediation starting date, for modifying the NYPD's computer systems, from January 1, 1998 to beyond third quarter 1998.

In response to these findings the NYPD noted "...of the fourteen recommendations made by the auditors, the New York City Police Department has implemented or will be implementing all fourteen."

RATING: FAIR

Landmarks Preservation Commission (Landmarks)

The Comptroller's audit found that the Landmarks Preservation Commission is making steady progress towards becoming year 2000 compliant. After making assessments of needed modifications, Landmarks conducted testing and purchased and installed Year 2000 compliant hardware and software.

However, certain conditions must be met for Landmarks to meet its Year 2000 deadlines. The auditors found that Landmarks must purchase and install software to replace programs that require upgrading (funding for the software has been requested) and install and test two PC-based LAN applications currently being upgraded and repaired. In addition, the resignation of the MIS Director/Project Leader may ultimately affect Landmark's scheduled compliance.

In response, Landmarks stated "We intend to fully comply with your recommendations as set forth..."

RATING: GOOD

Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)

The Taxi and Limousine Commission's mainframe and PC systems are scheduled to be replaced with CAMIS by the Department of Finance. The installation of the licensing component of CAMIS is scheduled for November 16, 1998, and the remaining functions by January 29, 1999. However, the auditors found that Year 2000 compliance testing is not part of the CAMIS installation plan, and therefore extra time and resources will be needed to complete compliance testing. Also of concern is that the modification of current mainframe applications may not be completed on time.

In response to the recommendations made by the Comptroller's Office, the TLC stated

"Upon completion of each phase, the TLC MIS staff will test the TLC/CAMIS system to ensure that the modifications are Year 2000 compliant....In addition, the TLC will participate in the coordinated testing with other CAMIS user agencies."

RATING: GOOD

Office of the Comptroller

The review of the Comptroller's Office Year 2000 readiness found that the Bureau of Information Systems' mainframe applications, including critical pension applications with city-wide application, are on schedule to be fully compliant. In addition, the mid-range imaging system (OASIS) also has a reasonable chance of being upgraded in time for the Year 2000.

However, as a result of a lack of internal resources and project tracking mechanisms, the auditors are concerned about BIS's ability to remediate all of its LAN in-house-developed computer applications . For BIS to ensure that services to the Comptroller's Office are not interrupted, it must rapidly accelerate remediation of its LAN custom software applications and commit the necessary resources.

In response, the Comptroller's Office stated "In August, we completed implementation of the core hardware and operating system of the new LAN infrastructure utilizing the Windows/NT operating system.. Since April, in-house staff has been assigned to work on several custom-developed client server applications for development in Access 97..... In July, an official request was made to OMB for funds from the Citywide Year 2000 budget for consulting services to assist us in remediating our high priority inhouse applications. Our request has been approved and we are now beginning the process of procuring these services."

Consultants were subsequently hired and are onsite actively working on remediating the high priority inhouse LAN applications.

RATING: GOOD

Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS)

The Department of Records and Information Services is primarily a record keeping archival agency, and therefore has very little remediation to perform because its applications are not date-sensitive. There are only two applications that will be affected, IFMS and PMS. PMS was tested and made Year 2000 compliant in August 1998. The IFMS system will be replaced by FMS (a citywide project that will be implemented by the Comptroller's Office, The Office of Management and Budget and FISA) , though there is a possibility that some of the project's components may be delayed. Overall, the impact of the Year 2000 problem should be minimal.

In response DORIS stated "DORIS awaits response by others to fully complete its Year 2000 readiness plans: extra-budgetary funds via OMB to replace old non-compliant PCs, similar funds to purchase a LAN enhancement pack, and DoITT's word on our LAN gateway.... We expect no catastrophic result from the failure of our expectations from other entities, just some inconvenience."

RATING: VERY GOOD

Department of Business Services (DBS)

The Department of Business Services has made a reasonable assessment of its current data processing environment and has identified areas requiring remediation and the specific resources needed to carry out its year 2000 efforts. However, the contingency plans which DBS reported were in place have not been formally documented.

Although DBS intended to remediate and/or replace most of its computer systems (hardware and software) by December 1998, delays, in acquiring funding for needed Year 2000 resources, have put DBS behind its Year 2000 remediation schedule. In addition, as a result of the resignation of three members of the six-member MIS staff, including the director, DBS does not have the personnel it needs to carry out its year 2000 efforts.

In response, DBS stated, "From our review of the report, there appears to be two major concerns. Primarily, DBS lacks a formal documented contingency plan for Year 2000. Secondly, although we have identified areas requiring remediation and specific resources needed to carry out

its Year 2000 efforts, lack of MIS staff jeopardizes the agency's remediation efforts. We appreciate your office identifying these concerns, however, management is aware of them and every possible effort is being made to rectify the situation."

RATING: FAIR

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Comptroller's Office provided each agency with specific recommendations to help ensure that they become year 2000-compliant, including:

1. Take immediate actions to hire qualified replacement MIS personnel and obtain other needed Year 2000 resources.

2. Expedite the procurement process for the necessary hardware and software for the Year 2000 environment.

3. Formalize and document the Year 2000 contingency plan.

4. Add Year 2000 certification testing, tasks, dates, and responsibilities to the CAMIS plan.

5. Develop and implement procedures for documenting all future modifications made to both the PC and mainframe applications.

The six audits released last were rated as follows: Finance Department (Good), Sanitation Department and Homeless Services (fair), Department of Corrections (Doubtful), New York City Housing Authority and Off-Track Betting (Poor).

# # #

-- (Busy@the.Top), March 05, 1999

Answers

Yes, you have been busy at the top. Thanks, busy.

Good reports. Any of you nu yarkers want to buy some land in South Dakota? Of course 'landmarks' would be ahead of the game, but homeless is lagging.

How are these systems impacted by the early fiscal year roll over in the State? Anyone? If the city uses the same fiscal year as the state (and I imagine they'll have to do so on some systems) there could be some major problems early on.

-- De (dealton@concentric.net), March 05, 1999.

Man, this is nasty:

*snip*

DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION (DOS)

The Department of Sanitation is not on schedule to meet its Year 2000 deadlines. DOS has no test or implementation plans for three of its nine mainframe programs that require modification, nor for its 10 PC programs. The Comptroller's auditors were particularly concerned because DOS had not been able to find programmers to help its current in-house staff, and has not yet hired a network administrator to address Year 2000 problems on the LAN. This new hiring was scheduled to occur by October 1997, but as of June 30, 1998, no one had been hired.

In addition, DOS' lack of a contingency plan places it at risk if it fails to meet its Year 2000 deadlines.

In response, DOS' Commissioner stated, "We completed implementation of the... recommendations shortly after the audit...We will begin work on a contingency plan during the first quarter of fiscal year 1999, pursuant to the requirements of the Year 2000 Project Office."

The Comptroller's Office gave the Department of Sanitation a rating of Fair.

DEPARTMENT of CORRECTION (DOC)

Despite the creation of a Y2K strategic plan, DOC missed several scheduled deadlines for applications modifications. The Comptroller's auditors found that no progress has been made in the modification of the primary inmate support system, IIS (Inmate Information System), which was scheduled to begin on April 1, 1998. Meanwhile, DOC has developed its test plans after, rather than before, the modification of its programs; this approach causes delays which DOC had not considered in its plans, increasing the likelihood that the agency will not meet its final Y2K deadline. Moreover, the auditors found that DOC has no contingency plan should Y2K modifications not be completed on time.

In response to the audit findings, DOC wrote, "Management Information Services [MIS] developed the Year 2000 strategic plan to include possible delays resulting from procurement problems, critical work that may arise, and other contingencies which could arise. MIS Year 2000 projects are in no danger of failing to be completed on time. With regard to the issue of the 'creation of test plans after modifications,' in almost all cases this is necessary because the test plans can only be developed after a precise determination of the problem and its method of correction...The statement that '...several scheduled deadlines have been missed.' is inaccurate. The Department of Correction has revised a few milestones. However, those milestones were not critical and will not affect the final deadline."

As a result of this audit's findings and the agency's response, the Comptroller's Office gave the Department of Correction a rating of Doubtful.

****

NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT (NYPD)

The New York City Police Department has reasonably assessed the areas within its current data processing units that require remediation, and has created appropriate strategies for addressing the Year 2000 problem. However, the Comptroller's Office found that the NYPD still lacks a formal contingency plan, especially for critical applications such as the Special Police Radio Inquiry Network (SPRINT). SPRINT, which is not Year 2000 compliant, is the software used for responding to 911 calls. It is imperative that SPRINT be upgraded and thoroughly tested prior to the Year 2000 as manual procedures are the backup for dispatching and assigning resources. In addition, administrative delays in funding and finalizing contracts with external vendors have pushed back the remediation starting date, for modifying the NYPD's computer systems, from January 1, 1998 to beyond third quarter 1998.

*******

NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA)

The Comptroller's audit of the New York City Housing Authority found that, overall, NYCHA has made little progress in its Year 2000 efforts. NYCHA did not have a finalized Year 2000 strategic plan. Modification, testing, and implementation of many computer applications had not been initiated. NYCHA's timetable for completion of these phases was overly optimistic. Therefore, there is a real possibility that the agency will not meet its Year 2000 deadlines. Also, NYCHA has not created a contingency plan to continue processing data in the event that the Year 2000 changes are not completed.

In response, NYCHA stated "...we have a new administration in our Systems &

Computer Services organization, which will ensure that NYCHA is Year 2000 compliant. We have a Year 2000 Remediation Task Force to monitor all Year 2000 changes made to applications and Data Industries is responsible for providing NYCHA with an accurate and complete account of programs changed and tested....All applications that require Year 2000 Remediation have been scheduled for modification, one application at a time. The applications modification process has already commenced and will be completed by August 31, 1999."

The New York City Housing Authority received a rating of Poor.

*endsnip*

pshannon, are you sniffin around?

These things added together could certainly make NYC a very unhappy place.

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), March 05, 1999.

Damn. This is terrifying - at this stage of the game, it is dangerous.

Read the words guys - read the words. Now, look at the spin - if you hear any it will be from the summary lines: Good, Good, Fair, .... for agencies that can't hire people, have no plan, and aren't started yet. Most fortunately have finished counting their critical systems - we think.

To be as blunt as I can be - these guys are not going to make it - and even the auditors aren't going to admit it. They (the city) are not going to make it in any area - and most don't even have a contingency plan yet. Most have no test plan yet - and have not started testing or remediating most systems.

Okay - your job is re-read these - and find something to tell me I'm wrong - about something. Please find it - cause this report really scares the hell out of me - for every person living in that city.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 05, 1999.

NYC seems to be well ahead of Washington DC. Also, the earlier NY fiscal year should give other local governments a better idea of which systems to move up on the priority list.

If you live in NYC, a word of advice: don't.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), March 05, 1999.

Well, it looks like New York WILL BE the big Y2K test in April. At least, help can still come from the outside. Hope theyve moved to wrapping up those contingency plans, A.S.A.P.

It may well be the alarm bell required to wake-up the rest of cities around the globe still slumbering. Unless, of course, they can still hide or spin the problems.

Makes me grateful to live on flat CA ground, even if shaky upon occasion, rather than in verticle concrete n steel.

Diane

Excerpt Notes: ...

... Audits ... reviews of Y2K efforts at the Comptroller's Office, the New York City Police Department, the Taxi and Limousine Commission, and the City Planning Office -- we are confident that they are working towards achieving their compliance goals by January 1, 2000."

[What about April 1st???]

This is the one that gets me ...

... However, the Comptroller's Office found that the NYPD still lacks a formal contingency plan, especially for critical applications such as the Special Police Radio Inquiry Network (SPRINT). SPRINT, which is not Year 2000 compliant, is the software used for responding to 911 calls. ... administrative delays in funding and finalizing contracts with external vendors have pushed back the remediation starting date, for modifying the NYPD's computer systems, from January 1, 1998 to beyond third quarter 1998.

[Wonder if thats at all impacted by accounting rollover or if they have until Jan 1st? Still sobering in a city that size.]

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 06, 1999.

How interesting. I didn't post this.

-- (Busy@the.top), March 08, 1999.

Don't know who did post it then - this report was evidently released Nov 05, 1998. The information is slightly less threatening, since some progress can be made between a Nov report,probably written using Oct (or earlier) data - and a March review. However - this is very bad news - particularly since "good" is being used to summarize audit results that (if still valid now) should be "dangerous".

Certain status items might be even earlier - overall, treat this report with cautious - but justified - extreme pessimism.

<>

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 08, 1999.