Bob,
Thought you might be interested in this article:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 1997--
Billions Of Microprocessors Could Fail In Companies
Of Every Size, Threatening Critical Business Functions
META Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: METG) today announced that industry
reports and its syndicated client research reveal a serious, yet
virtually ignored, Y2K compliance problem with embedded systems that
are found throughout organizations worldwide.
Embedded systems consist of computers or microprocessors that
control the operation of machinery, equipment or processes --
everything from voicemail systems, security cameras, and process
control systems at nuclear power plants to elevators, commuter train
systems and telephone switches.
According to META Group, many of these systems contain date-
sensitive devices, and should therefore be part of an organization's
enterprise Y2K effort. The failure of these devices which are
outside of IT's traditional domain could have wide-ranging impact on
an organization, including the shutting down of critical business
functions.
"Risk management of embedded system failures is one of the keys
to managing a fully successful Y2K conversion," said Leonard Neely,
manager of META Group's Y2K consulting practice. "Yet we see many
organizations that are way behind in addressing this issue. The
fact is, that while there are 26 months left to fix this problem,
most facility departments are not staffed at the level required to
accomplish the task in this timeframe."
Scarce Outsourcing Resources
According to META Group, companies with resource shortages have
few outsourcing alternatives for addressing the Y2K embedded systems
problem. Most outsourcers are in the United Kingdom, and their
"pipelines" are filling up, says Neely.
Given this set of circumstances, META Group believes facilities
departments have three options when tackling this issue. They can
outsource the conversion to vendors such as Fluor Daniel, Millennium
UK, or Conversant Business Technologies (CBT).
A second option would be for companies to handle the problem
in-house by purchasing a methodology such as MOPAS 2000, which can
help companies identify, prioritize and implement the analysis and
testing of Y2K problems in embedded systems. Both Millennium UK and
CBT use this methodology, which can be purchased from ERA, a UK-based
independent contract research, development and testing organization.
With either of these options, companies can also turn to online
databases developed by Fluor Daniel and CBT that offer listings of
embedded systems that are Y2K compliant.
Failure to accomplish either of the first two options will mean
waiting for new, unproven vendors using their own methodologies to
enter the market, which will leave companies in serious trouble,
according to Neely.
"The key to success here is for the facilities department to
treat the Y2K conversion of embedded systems as an urgent business
issue," said Neely. "They must minimize risk to the overall
organization, weighing conversion cost versus cost of failure, and
develop solid contingency plans."
Embedded Systems
Following is a partial listing of systems and devices that might
have embedded micro-controllers in them that could be vulnerable to
the Y2K date shift:
Medical
Imaging equipment
Fetal monitors
Fibrilators
Infusion pumps
Ventilators
Office Systems and Mobile Equipment
Answering machines
Copiers
Desktop computers
Faxes
Laptops and notebooks
Mobile telephones
Personal digital assistants
Still and video cameras
Telephone systems
Time recording systems
Voice mail
Building Systems
Air conditioning
Backup lighting and generators
Building management systems
Burglar and fire alarms
CCTV systems
Door locks
Fire control systems
Heating and ventilating systems
Elevators and escalators
Lighting systems
Safes and vaults
Security access control systems
Switching systems
Manufacturing and Process Control
Automated factories
CAD systems
Energy control systems
Manufacturing plants
Nuclear power stations
Oil refineries and related storage facilities
Power management systems
Robots
Switching systems
Water and sewage systems
Time/clock stamps
Transport
Airplanes
Trains
Automobiles
Air traffic control systems
Signaling systems
Radar systems
Traffic lights
Ticketing systems/machines
Car parking and other meters
Transport passenger information systems
Check-in
Baggage handling
Emergency equipment
Command and control systems
Speed cameras, radar speed detectors
Photo surveillance systems
Communications
Telephone exchanges
Cable systems
Telephone switches
Satellites
Banking and Finance
Automated teller systems
Credit card systems
To support clients confronting these issues, META Group provides
in-depth research, consulting services, conferences, and briefings
that address all facets of the Y2K issue.
Headquartered in Stamford, CT, META Group, Inc. is an
independent market assessment company providing research, analysis,
and advisory services regarding developments and trends in
information technology. META Group currently serves more than 1,300
clients worldwide. Additional information about META Group is
available on the World Wide Web at metagroup.com
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All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
Neptune Group International Inc., Stamford
Dr. Patricia Neptune, 203/221-2820
Email: pneptune@neptunegp.com |
