University of Connecticut Computer Center
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DDD Letter #57
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Year 2000 Activity and Moratorium on Service Requests
Date: March 12, 1997
The Year 2000 Problem
As you may know, there are serious concerns about the ability of
computers and information systems to function properly after 1999.
Since the 1950's, dates have been represented in computer systems
by two digits ("97") rather than four
("1997"), under the assumption
that two digit dates were logically preceded by a prefix of "19".
After 1999, this logic fails (e.g.,
"00" should represent "2000" rather
than "1900").
After 1999, the accuracy of any automated date-related calculation,
comparison, or decision becomes questionable.
This is a world-wide problem which potentially impacts any information
system ever programmed, as well as many electronic devices
(microcomputers, security systems, telephones, etc.), and many data
files.
The "Year 2000" problem must be addressed now. By and large,
information systems professionals are well aware of the issues and
have begun to make corrections to systems which support
their organizations.
The technical and popular press have picked up on this theme recently,
so it is unlikely that today many people are completely unaware of the
problem.
The State of Connecticut has organized a Year 2000 project office to
coordinate the effort to bring State information
systems into Year 2000 compliance.
We are told that, at present, the State Legislature views this problem
as an "agency problem" and will provide no additional monetary
assistance to deal with it. Agencies (including UConn) will have to
fund the project from existing budgets.
It is our understanding that the Computer Center will also have to
address the systems for which we are responsible, within existing
resources.
Moratorium on Service Requests
While some Computer Center staff have been actively inspecting and
rewriting programs for nearly two years, a massive amount of work
remains, work that simply must be done now and cannot wait.
Therefore, a moratorium on changes to existing UCC-supported information
systems is in effect. Work in support of the Year 2000 project will
take priority over all other project work.
While we anticipate that the bulk of this work can be accomplished in
1997 and 1998, the UCC Year 2000 project will continue formally through
the year 2000 to work on residual University and departmental
corrections.
Until this issue is resolved, the UCC will be unable to accommodate
any significant programming changes, changes which are generally
communicated to us through written Service Requests. Service Requests
which are received will be reviewed and assessed in terms of:
- the criticality of the request;
- the length of time estimated to complete the request; and
- the current requirements of the Year 2000 changes.
State and Federal mandates as well as important, quickly-accomplished
local modifications to existing information systems are likely to be
implemented. New initiatives or time-consuming enhancements to
existing systems will not be implemented at this time.
Please keep in mind that even relatively simple changes may have to
be implemented twice ... into the current code and into the Year
2000-compliant code which is under development and not yet in production.
How University Departments Can Help
We are asking the University community to assist us with this effort in
several ways.
- Please refrain from submitting Service Requests which are not
absolutely essential.
- If you are unclear about how time-consuming a request might be,
discuss this with your programming support group prior to
submitting any paperwork.
- Assign someone on your staff to review programs and other
technologies in your own departments for Year 2000 compliance.
- Carefully review the implications of your policy decisions for
the information systems which support those policies; please consider
the work required to adjust programs, reports, and procedures
to support your policy changes.
During the next two years, we will not be able
to accommodate major changes to existing information systems which
policy decisions may require.
While UCC staff have much work to do, every University department should
also review its deployed technology for Year 2000 compliance.
We would recommend that this become an active project in every department
since this issue may affect every department to some degree.
Additional Information
In support of the University departmental efforts, the UCC will offer
Year 2000-related materials and briefings, in person and on the Web.
Additional information will be available on the Web at the following
location:
http://vm.uconn.edu/~year2000/uccyr2k.html
Thank you in advance for your attention to this most important issue.
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Page last updated on 03/19/97.
Mail comments to:
wwwucc@uconnvm.uconn.edu