Jennifer McNeill of computer consultants Cipher Systems in Calgary, Alta. -- and an expert on year-2000 problems -- discussed what to do to reduce your exposure to danger as the millennium nears.
Here's a sample:
JackBW: Conversion of your computers for 2000 sounds like a very complex problem, but is there any kind of simple answer for the small business?
JenMcNeill: It depends on how well the applications are running for that small business. If the applications are running adequately, and business is happy with them, then it's critical that the conversion be done as soon as possible. However, if the systems are of a smaller scale, and can be replaced in a short period of time with new applications, then that may be the best alternative. Also, year-2000 solutions are not necessarily cut-and-dried. It may make sense in one situation to convert the applications, and in other situations it might be more logical to replace the applications, depending on their size and scale.
TottTransp: How can I tell if our computer software will have a problem? Test it?
JenMcNeill: Yes. You need to test early with dates after 2000, including Feb. 29, 2000. But you should make sure that you test in an environment that is separate from your production environment. These [tests] are best done on a separate machine, area, or system that allows you to test outside of your essential business environment.
