UK Police Report on Y2K (Big Deal on embedded Systems)
EXCERPTS
"As many computer processes are triggered by date comparisons, or make calculations based on dates, such as would happen in many Police application, we can foresee problems starting to raise their heads as soon as systems need to use forward dates beyond the millennium, and not just at the turn of the century."
"A modern police force depends on computer systems and high-speed
telecommunications to provide essential support to ensure operational effectiveness and run administrative systems efficiently and effectively. Within these systems dates are essential triggers for action, such as the creation of rosters, generating alerts in
intelligence systems or signalling forward dates for training. If these applications start to fail and public services are impacted, it will not be a credible management response to say "it was just a technical issue".
"If devices with embedded systems, such as timeclocks, electronic locks and alarms malfunction or fail completely at the start of the new millennium, the resulting chaos will be an operational and business problem; it is up to operational and business people to ensure that the risks are minimised."
"As regards embedded systems, Police forces are potentially very exposed."
"Quite apart from non-compliant devices under our own ownership, there will, for example, be the impact of the many external alarm systems which are known to be at risk."
" It is very likely that forces will have to divert resources from other projects to solve Year 2000 problems As the millennium approaches, external resources - such as
consultants and contractors - will become scarcer.
A seemingly simple problem which has the capability to bring major corporations to their knees requires serious and concerted senior management commitment, thorough investigation and careful planning."
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