Florida Government, Business Ready For Y2K-State

Updated 4:53 PM ET August 30, 1999By Michael Peltier

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - The computers of banks, power utilities, railroads and telecommunications companies operating in Florida will be ready for the year 2000, a statewide task force announced Monday.

Yet despite the optimistic reports of the governor's task force on Y2K preparedness, Floridians should make some "common sense" preparations for the new year just in case, Florida's lieutenant governor told reporters in Tallahassee during an update on state preparations.

With 123 days left until the new year, a review of state and local governments, private industry and public schools indicates Florida appears well-prepared for any eventuality surrounding the so-called Y2K bug, including problems caused by computer failures outside the state, officials said.

"There is every reason to believe that the Y2K phenomenon will be one of the world's great nonevents," Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan, the state's point man on Y2K compliance issues, said.

Florida Division of Banking director Art Simon said virtually all state and federally chartered banks operating in Florida are compliant in all critical areas.

"We feel very confident that the banking industry is going to be one of the strongest industries in terms of compliance," he said.

The Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates telecommunications, power utilities and water and sewer companies, said most major utilities are compliant.

Florida's railroad system and seaports also appear ready, though Brogan said both systems are highly interdependent with computer systems operating well outside Florida's borders.

"We are not a self-contained state when it comes to many of the Y2K issues," Brogan said.

To save computer memory, early programmers often used only the final two digits of a year. As a result the year "00" can be read as 1900. Unchecked, the problem may cause computer glitches, data loss and the interruption of critical services.

While the readiness of the state and large companies is well know, the preparedness of the state's smaller businesses is sketchier, officials said. Many small business owners have been slow to inspect and upgrade their own systems.

"We've got some information coming out on a national level that there is concerned that small businesses are not taking the issue seriously enough that they area taking a look at it," said Greg Mayne, Year 2000 project manager.

In case of minor disruptions, Brogan suggested stocking up on food and gasoline and having extra cash on hand.

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A rather broad stroke here !!

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 30, 1999

Answers

* * * 19990830 Monday

Ray:

U.S. Army {_NASTY_) "LESSON LEARNED" about internal units/divisions, external vendors & suppliers reporting Y2K status of hardware/software:

DO NOT TRUST CONFIRMATIONS OF Y2K COMPLIANCE STATUS VIA TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS AND/OR LETTERS FROM THE SELF-REPORTING SOURCE!!

1. DETERMINE (A PLAN FOR) HOW TO Y2K-TEST THE TARGET!

2. Y2K-TEST THE TARGET!!

3. PROVE (WITH DOCUMENTED RESULTS) THAT THE TARGET WAS Y2K-TESTED!!!

Without documented proof from each of the above tasks, the user/consumer can assume nothing about the ALLEGED veracity of SELF- REPORTED STATUS.

Ergo, customers should have access to THE ACTUAL Y2K testing documentation from banks, utilities (e.g., electric, NG, water, sewerage, telecommunications, educational institutions, et al), etc. in order to objectively and intelligently ascertain the risks--all one CAN do--likely to occur before and/or after 01/01/00.

You item is another feather in the Y2K fluff pile of non/dis- information blowing around by the PR flaks in all sectors around the globe. {sigh}

Regards, Bob Mangus

* * *

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus1@yahoo.com), August 30, 1999.