Y2K: New report says 80 percent of computer systems already fixed

By LAURENCE M. CRUZ The Associated Press 04/13/99 2:24 AM Eastern

OLYMPIA (AP) -- Washington residents panicked at the prospect of a New Year's weekend with automatic teller machines on the fritz because of the millennium date change are overreacting and should avoid bank runs, experts said at Gov. Gary Locke's weekly news conference.

Concerns over the impact of the so-called Year 2000 problem on the state's financial and other institutions were largely unfounded, according to a new report prepared by the state Year 2000 Office to help people prepare for the transition.

"We have this inordinate fascination with these little green things that you put in your pocket and call money," said Bruce Koppe, executive director of the Washington Bankers Association, noting check books and other sources of cash will work even if automatic tellers don't.

"We have exalted the necessity to have (cash) just immediately available at the snap of your fingers," he said Monday.

Koppe also discouraged people from withdrawing two or three weeks' worth of cash just before the new year, which some Y2K watchers say could make fears of cash shortages a self-fulfilling prophesy.

"I think that's an invitation to get hit over the head," he said.

The Y2K problem stems from the programming shortcut of using two digits rather than four to record the year. If not fixed, some computer systems and time-sensitive chips embedded in machines might misread the year 2000 as 1900 and cause malfunctions.

Locke said state agencies' Y2K readiness is excellent, with 80 percent of computer systems already fixed and tested -- up from 66 percent in February. All are expected to be ready for the transition by June 30, he said.

According to the report -- the most extensive to date on Y2K preparations in the state -- the Y2K problem will not be a single event, but probably will be spread over a three-year period. Only 8 percent to 10 percent of system failures probably will occur in the first two weeks of the year 2000.

The report provides up-to-date information on the Y2K readiness of key service sectors such as electricity, telecommunications and financial services.

Highlights include:

--As of Dec. 31, 1998, nearly 97 percent of banks and credit unions were rated satisfactory in their preparations for the Y2K transition.

--The nation's largest local and long-distance telecommunications carriers are expected to be 100 percent ready -- including having contingency plans in place -- by June 30. But smaller and medium-sized carriers lag behind in readiness, with nearly half of those surveyed by the FCC having no formal Y2K management plan.

--As of last month, all Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control systems nationwide needing Y2K repairs had been fixed. Some 88 percent of mission-critical systems had completed testing.

--About 91 percent of water system operators serving more than 100,000 customers expected their internal systems to be Y2K-compliant by 2000. But nearly half the small systems serving fewer than 10,000 customers, and nearly one-third of systems serving 10,000 to 100,000 customers said they had no formal Y2K plan.

House Bill 2015 -- the governor's Y2K liability bill -- is awaiting a vote by the Senate. The bill would hold the state liable for its share of damages arising from millennium bug glitches, but no more.

"People need to make their own decisions and their own preparations based on their individual needs," Locke said.

-- Norm (nwo@hotmail.com), April 13, 1999

Answers

Water is not a trivial issue...

--About 91 percent of water system operators serving more than 100,000 customers expected their internal systems to be Y2K-compliant by 2000. But nearly half the small systems serving fewer than 10,000 customers, and nearly one-third of systems serving 10,000 to 100,000 customers said they had no formal Y2K plan.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), April 13, 1999.

What's wrong with the internal consistency of this statement??

--As of last month, all Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control systems nationwide needing Y2K repairs had been fixed. Some 88 percent of mission-critical systems had completed testing.

In addition, how does this square with the Denver Demonstration and the information/reportage from there??

chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 13, 1999.