It has been called the "Year 2000 Problem" or the "Millenium Bug" and it raises immediate concerns as we approach the millenium.

What exactly is it?
The Year 2000 problem is all about the possible inabilty of many computer programs to recognize the last two digits "00" as referencing the Year 2000 and not the Year 1900.
Any program that relies on dates to do calculations could be confused and fail to work correctly. It is especially challenging for embedded microprocessors that are date sensitive. Any product containing this particular component is at risk. It is estimated that 5% to 20% of them could fail to function properly because of the millenium change over.
The challenge for all of us is to identify the critical systems and insure the they will be tested for Y2000 readiness.
Ideally, all building operating systems and equipment should be tested, but immediate priority should be given to critical systems such as HVAC, life safety systems, fire systems, accounting management systems etc.
It is a good practice to develop standards and guidelines for Y2000 compliance tests, to ensure that all embedded products and computer programs will process date and time data in the same manner after December 31/1999, as it did prior to that date.
A computer crash is only one scenario. Another problem is, that the system could appear to be running normally but in fact it could be making faulty calculations (i.e. accounting).
Problems with the embedded products and computers could actually occur before the century date change; therefore they should be tested for dates that include:

• Sept 8/1998 to Sept 9/1999 - code 9999 that represents end of data in some computers.
• Dec 31/1999 to Jan 1/2000 - year 2000 changeover.
• Feb 28/2000 to Feb 29/2000 - leap year test
• Dec 31/2000 to Jan 1/2001 - subsequent changeover test
• Feb 28/2001 to Mar 1/2001 - proper leap year calculations test

The key is to get started. Meet your deadlines. Creating the procedures, guidelines and be complete with the tests it self.
Have contingency plans for whoever is on duty on New Year's Eve, to provide directions as to what to do if something goes wrong while everyone else is celebrating.

For anyone interested in finding legal or technical information on Y2000 problem, a couple of Internet addresses to remember:

• www.y2k.com
• www.Year2000.com