Worldwide Y2K Remediator Millennium 2K Solutions Concerned About Business Failures and Y2K-Fix Inventories Updated 9:05 AM ET December 14, 1999 IRVINE, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Millennium 2K Solutions Inc., a worldwide Y2K remediation technology company, has expressed alarm over recent media reports regarding the failure of businesses and state governments to address non-mainframe remediation issues, and has voiced concern about the possibility of drastic price mark-ups for Y2K fixes as the year 2000 approaches. In a recent interview with CBS News reporter, Sharyl Atkisson, James Toner, president of Millennium 2K Solutions, said, "The foundation of the Y2K problem is the computer's RTC (real time clock). Free downloads and inexpensive purchases of software patches and BIOS enablers lull PC owners into a false sense of security regarding stored data, software and the PC's ability to supply correct date information. Millions of PCs have not been tested for compliance. This is a major blueprint for disaster and will cause hundreds of thousands of small businesses to fail."

According to Millennium 2K Solutions, recent reports have projected that over 800,000 business will fail in the Midwest alone. Major companies such as BF Goodrich, Chubb Securities, St. Joseph Hospital, Sullivan and Curtis, and the non-profit CHOC Hospital have been reported in the media as companies who have not yet completed Y2K remediation. Many state governments and various departments are not Y2K compliant as well. The state governments of California and Maine are two governments that have had widely distributed media reports of their failure to be prepared beyond their mainframe levels. Toner said state governments have invested billions of tax dollars, but they have not completed the required fixes at the PC level, deciding instead to adopt a "wait and see" position.

Toner also stressed that PC manufacturers have not been addressing complete hardware compliance through the NSTL Ymark test. "Testing for proper date rollovers for the new millennium and leap years is imperative," Toner said. "How can one rely on a test if the RTC hasn't been tested for compliance which the NSTL Ymark test fails to do?

"Our testing platform checks the RTC, along with all other important hardware aspects of Y2K, which is the only legitimate test for Y2K compliance. Failure to test the RTC is a blueprint for disaster," Toner said. "In addition, manufacturers should have originally done the right thing for the consumer by providing a legitimate test. At this point, providing an incomplete test for hardware compliance just compounds the problem."

Toner also feels drastic price mark-ups for Y2K fixes is another major concern for computer users and businesses. He said such price mark-ups prevent remediation companies from building and stocking ample supplies for January 2000, and he believes there will be a high probability that technical professionals will be in great demand and not able to correct problems on a timely basis.

"Price increases are projected to double or triple in mid-January 2000 because Y2K remediation companies have not built up sufficient inventories to fill the expected demand," Toner said. "Technical support and installation personnel are expected to be working in an emergency business lifeline mode and there aren't enough information technology service personnel available to meet the rapid requirements for small business owners.

"Y2K remediation for PCs is readily available....

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http://news.excite.com/news/bw/991214/millennium-2k-solutions

-- LOON (blooney10@aol.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

"...recent reports have projected that over 800,000 business will fail in the Midwest alone."

Thanks Loon, I wonder if anyone is paying attention. Nahhh...

-- mar (derigueur2@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

What's that? Can't hear you? I have to call my broker and buy some more technology shares.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

Koskinen will no doubt say: "800,000 businesses ALWAYS fail in the Midwest"

-- Sceptic (WhosFoolin@Who.com), December 14, 1999.

Where's Ladylogic when you really need the balnce of her perspective?

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-- SH (squirrel@huntr.com), December 14, 1999.

I will forgive the DGI's/pollys for spotting the self-serving component of this story. No expert here, but the emphasis on the RTC seems to be an incomplete picture of Y2K and obviously plays into the remediator's business plan. If all stories looked like this, accusations of media hype to sell products would be legit.

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), December 14, 1999.