Y2K: The Millenium Bug

The social class cc0 worry has resulted from the common practice of victimization devil digits to innovationate the calendar stratum instead of using four. When the form 2000 arrives, 2 digit year reckons may be interpreted falsely causing mevery paradoxs. Computer hardw ar and softw be may non recognize 00 as an actual date and impart not endure correctly or not at all. Credit Card systems may not recognize 00 as a valid year for the fall outlet date, do transactions for those cards with 00 as the expiration date im kindredly. twenty-four hour period of the week calculations will be off. Computers may interpret 1/1/00 as Jan. 1, 1900. 1/1/1900 was a Monday solely 1/1200 is a Saturday so all day of the week calculations will be two days off. The mount of this problem is world wide. All products using the two digit technology are potentially at risk.The Millennium cod could be bring failure to everything from personal computers, home security systems, mainframes , and telecommunications equipment. The effect of the course 2000 problem will be felt in homes, handicraft, and organization. category 2000 conformity shall mean that neither performance nor functionality is implyed by dates earlier to, during, and after the year 2000. According to the British Standards institution Committee on that point are four general rules for Y2K compliance1. No value for true dates will cause any interruption in operation.2. Date-based functionality mustiness put up consistently for dates prior to, during and after the year 2000.3. In all inter shows and data storage, the century in any date must be qualify either explicitly or by unambiguous algorithms or inferencing rules.4. The year 2000 must be recognized as a leap year. both body that haves with this problem must be ready. To avoid the Y2K problems your computer must first be jibed for compliance.Software is available that abide check your computer for compliance and even make your co mputer Y2k submissive. Desk whirligig computers displace be checked with a simple utility but larger systems and networks may require to a greater extent expertise to avoid the potential dangers. legion(predicate) resources are available for checking your computer and to take the appropriate measures to correct any problems. This problem is huge. Business and government stand to lose billions of dollars if the problem is not corrected. Businesses are either already in compliance or in the routine of dodging the possible disaster of the Y2k crash.II. Examples of Business Sectors Y2K Applied in the Mexi force out Public SectorComputing systems and information technologies have plump fundamental in production activities and everyday life. In order to keep on the course of instruction 2000 effects on the information systems, the last June 3rd 1998, was installed the twelvemonth 2000 National Conversion consignment (Y2K National Commission). This Commission has the responsibilit y of set up the efforts of both the social and economic sphere of influences to make sure of the adequate year handling, and therefore, the correct operation in information systems during the year 2000 and beyond. On July 9th 1998 it was create a presidential agreement which established the creation of the Y2K National Commission. Banco de Mexico was invited to inscribe in this Commission in order to coordinate the efforts of the financial sector regarding to the transition of information systems. The habit of this page is to offer access to diametric sources of information that allow exploiters to be familiar with the year 2000 problem, and to get on time financial sector documents contractd under the coordination of this central bank with the purpose of solving the Y2K problems.In January 1997 the Project for Systems Compatibility Verification with the Year 2000 was established. Accordingly, the Board of Governors instructed the Systems ende section to carry out the coo rdination and supervision of the necessary changes.The Systems Department elaborated an sign inventory of its cause systems, asking the immediate revision of the end user exertions systems in the endure of the areas. In addition, the Systems Department established a bimonthly control and progress report.In March 1998, the Board of Governors of Banco de Mexico created the Transition Year 2000 office at the Deputy Manager level, whose goal is accelerating and consolidating the progress of the worldwide course of instruction denominated Transition 2000.In September 1998, the financial sector espouse a 5 course self-evaluation methodology proposed by the National Commission for the Year 2000 Information Technology Conversion (Y2K National Commission). Banco the Mexico in his citation of financial authority, took this standard of self-evaluation as a way to give a general view of the status its internal project.In December 1998, the Institution finished the correction and inte rnal test phases. During thefirst half of 1999, the orthogonal testing will take place (Industry test), as intumesce as the elaborationSince early 1997 the Year 2000 Problem has become a top priority issue in PEMEX and its subsidiary firms. This is due to the fact that for some(prenominal)(prenominal) decades PEMEX has been considered one of the closely important users of information technology in our country, as a means of permanently counting on timely and true data to actualize the wide range of its business transactions.In violate of having a huge array of information systems implemented throughout the Mexican Republic, there is a strong sense of awareness in PEMEX regarding the possible implications of Y2K. Therefore, vast efforts are being carried out both in legal injury of information systems and automatic industrial controls in order to assess the scope of the problem and implement the necessary corrective measures, taking into consideration that the date-mark is i mmovable.Regarding to industrial systems PEMEX has adopted a sixer stage strategy collectable to the technology reliance of PEMEXs production processes, there is withal a variety plan for industrial systems, which are critical for oil business. This plan comprises six stages, the first two stages, inventory and discrimination, are already completed and the former(a)(a) ones has been processing in 1999.Because of the nature of embedded systems, PEMEX is outsourcing their Y2K conversion to manufacturers and source integrators, and has also identified the main vendors, which fabricate 70% of the inventory that have to be converted.Conversion of industrial systems is PEMEXs top priority.PEMEXs Board of Directors and Senior Management of Subsidiaries are totally aware of Y2k implications and therefore have undertaken a comprehensive plan to fully implement and effectively prioritize the solution concerning industrial systems and information systems. The society has assigned dedic ated human resources to the Y2K project and a budget has been established.On July 31, a successfull Y2K readiness test was guide oned in the Mexican air travel sector.The experience problematic air aviation services, 6 airports and six Mexican commercial airlines.This event was unique because of the number of airlines, airports and systems tested that were involved in this experience. It has been one of the more complex that have taken place so far in the commercial aviation sector.The test was observed by some of the main hardware and software providers in the aviation application in Mexico. Also present were representatives from ICAO, IATA, FAA and Transport Canada.Equipment on board the airplanes and airport aeronautical services simulated the rollover to the Year 2000 during flight.The experience involved the followers airlines and routes-Aeromexico MD-88 Guadalajara-Mexico City-Aeromexpress B-727 Mexico City-Hermosillo-Aerolitoral M3 Leon-Mexico CityAviacion A-320 Puerto Vallarta-Mexico City-TAESA B-727-300 Mexico City-Mexico City-AEROCARIBE J32 Minatitln-Mexico CityThe tests involved the interest areasDifferent systems ere tested in different routes. For example, on the Guadalajara-Mexico City route, the quest systems were tested Data processing systems, radar and flight plan digital communications processing system Aeronautical communications systems Tests of airline in operation(p) systemsThe Ministry of Public Education has an informatic platform relatively modern of outfitting and application classs of Institutional use, that allows them to foresee in a general way, that the feign of the intro of the Y2K that the Institutional information systems will be manageable and relatively lightheaded to resolve.The techno arranged characteristics allows them to make such a statement are major computer equipment platform, where the actual systems run of Institutional use that consist of reduced instruction set computer architectural computers und er UNIX operative system which reduces the possibilities to obtain process errors caused by antique computer architectures, that present risks when using ingoing/outgoing basic systems (BIOS) with the mention information, that do not support the Y2K impact, as it does in some platforms with other characteristics (architectural CISC Intel). The software for the handling of basis of Institutional data (Informix, Sybase), accept dynamic date types of data, that support the Y2K impact while storing years using digital technology.Likewise, the organization of the information in relational tables of content, facilitate the eventual(prenominal) modification of the information handle in contrast to more ancient mechanisms of organization of information (sequential index files).The development tools and the methodology of analysis and design use in the construction of the most reason information systems as well as those that are in the process of development delay robustness of the syst ems to resist the Y2K impact.On account of its nature, the most delicate institutional system, the Integral System for the Administration of Personnel of the Ministry of Public Education (SIAPSEP), in operation since 1994, was designed in such a manner that the date fields and the calculations that involve the same, tolerate the impact mentioned when redesign in fields of four digits for the information stored for years.Nevertheless, its necessary to observe that a great make sense of application programs represent in several areas of the Ministry that are not of generalise Institutional use and can present process problems during the change of the century. In particular, information systems exist that store RFC type fields, in which two digits exist and additional reference exists over the birth year.Such cases are not critical because the date does not form part of any logical or arithmetic operation, nevertheless, its necessary to have a date reference for the correct interpre tation of the information for which an activities program must be integrate so as to able to detect and correct those informatic cases.III. Mexican Companys prep Y2K in Mexicos Private SectorTo achieve this, Grupo Vitro created in 1997 the Vitro Y2K use, in rosiness of all matters related to the problem of the turn of the century. The main role of Vitro Y2K point is1. To keep the organization focused, so that the Y2K issue is permanently included in the agendas of the entire Grupo Vitro.2. To conclude successfully the Year 2000 Business Processes Program (Y2K).The Office is formed by a team of professionals devoting 100% of their time to the solution of the problem of the year 2000, and a Y2K Guide Committee, integrated by the merged Directors who provide services and/or define guidelines for operative areas, and are involved in any aspect of the Y2K problem, and whose main role is to provide condition support to all Y2K leaders to ensure success for the program.The Y2K Progr am has a wide span, since it considers our transactions with suppliers, customers, banks, business partners and institutions. In Grupo Vitro we are aware of the magnitude and complexity of this problem, since we are just one link in the bestow chain and we are conscious of the fact that no company, by itself, can guarantee success in this enormous task.The year 2000 transition will challenge the expertise and capability of organizations to cope with complex technical problems with several levels of operative interactions. TELMEX is aware and ready to face this challenge. In January of 1999, TELMEX will be finished with solution implementation phase of its Y2K project, at which point TELMEXs systems related to the continuity and quality of service will be fully pliable and operational.Commitments and responsibilities for TELMEX in sight of the year 2000 transition are governed by the proper terms of its commercial relationships and contracts with its customers, as a supplier of te lecommunications services, to carry out its regular activities.The Y2K project is based near a 4 phase model designed for bringing a multi-faceted and technologically complex company into compliance on time. These phases include identification, solution development, joint operations testing, and formula of hap plans. Both IT and Non-IT systems have been included in this process. A more detailed description of each of these phases follows.The Y2K project is based around a 4 phase model designed for bringing a multi-faceted and technologically complex company into compliance on time. These phases include identification, solution development, joint operations testing, and formulation of contingency plans. Both IT and Non-IT systems have been included in this process. A more detailed description of each of these phases follows.On the doorway of the new millennium, CEMEX is committed to undertaking every effort necessary to conduct business as usual through the year 2000 and beyond. Although the Year 2000 twit originated as a technology- related problem, we recognize that its effects extend into eight-fold business areas, both within and outside our company. That is why we are glide path the Year 2000 problem as a critical company-wide business issue not just a technological one.In January 1997 we launched CEMEX 2000, a company-wide program to become Year 2000 compliant, not only for information technology, but also for our extended business network. As part of the program, CEMEX has implemented a unremitting follow-up plan to monitor the progress of the significant vendors, customers and business partners.This program aims to overcome and even capitalize on the technology issues that the year 2000 presents. By upgrading and replacing our information technology worldwide, we are not only making efforts to ensure that we will be doing business through the new millennium, but that we will be doing business better.Since technology is an integral business se gment of CEMEX, the CEMEX 2000 Program is a global, company-wide effort. It is succeeding through the combined efforts of every business unit of the company, from top level executives to plant managers to technical, engineering and corporate support services departments.1. Planning In this phase the following are delimitate the programs management structure, the scheduling of activities, the work team, resource and budget allocation, quality self-reliance strategy and the overall goals of the program.2. Analysis In this phase the scope of the problem is defined and the elements where CEMEX could be affected by the Year 2000 issue are identified. Dynamic business impact analyses are carried-out through and inventory of Year 2000 sensitive elements3. Solution Design In this phase the strategy for achieving Year 2000 compliance is defined, and a state of-the-art testing facility named SITE 200 is created.4. Conversion This phase includes the correction or replacement ofthose elements that might affect CEMEXs business operations, giving priority tothose that represent a higher impact on operations.5. Certification The Year 2000 compliance process takes place on the SITE 2000, where an exhaustive integral acceptance testing procedure is conducted. The process of certification is completed once all revision points are passed.6. execution This phase includes the end user acceptance testing and implementation of the Y2K compliant system in every CEMEX business unit, office and plant around the world.7. Quality Assurance and Follow-up This phase includes the revision of the critical elements which represent business risk by the Year 2000, the documentation of the corresponding contingency plans and the preparation of immediate response work teams who will be observe the functioning of the business processes during the transition period and on critical dates.Mexico has been workings on Y2K in most of its public sectors, and is to an extent actualized and ready to f ace the millenium bug. We could probably attribute this to political pressures, specially coming from the United States.In the other hand, I was only able to cover a a couple of(prenominal) of the big powerful companies in Mexico, but in general most of them have a specialized department dedicated specifically to deal with the year 2000 problem. For them its really important to work on the present problem due to the complexity and size of this companies, and also because this are global companies that can not take a chance in ruining their well developed image and systems.The problem basically remains in the low-down and medium businesses, as well as in personal computers. Mexicos government has established a department to help the population update their own hardware and software, but still these heap has to actively participate in updating their equipment.Finally, Id like to conclude saying that the technical problem is already fixed but the real problem relays in the peoples a ttitude towards the problem. If people feel insecure and start removing their money from bank accounts or doing things like that, then a real crisis will occur worldwide. So the only thing left to do is updating our own businesses and personal computers, and rest still trusting that what ever procedures were taken to face the millenium bug problem will work out.