JDN, as far as your comment, "Cant just replace the whole doggone factory, can we?" goes, I think you would be surprised what people who are cornered will do. If a factory gets the embedded Y2K message late, (and late is almost here now), I think many that know their systems well, will choose to upgrade their controllers instead of doing all the testing with TPRO's CD or other method. After all, there is a lead time to ordering parts usually, and testing for a problem robs precious time if a fix needs to be implemented quickly.
I don't know specifically how you or others view this problem, but I view it from the perspective that not all factories are these huge masses of tangled wires and little controllers everywhere. I am fully aware that these cases do exist, (perhaps without the tangled wires part).
But I also know that there are lots of factories whose controllers pay vital roles in processes, while also being very accessible and definable and replaceable. Therefore, if a suspicion exists that a problem may shut my plant down, I see the very real potential for upgrading the controllers and being done with the issue.
What I am NOT saying is that this is prudent, wise or even the norm. But I AM suggesting that the cozy little scenario we keep hearing on this thread is not as airtight as it is being made to appear.
When time has run out, and you can order replacement controllers, and you suspect you have the problem, its time to replace and forget the Y2K testing part. The only testing that needs to be done when the parts are installed, is to make sure the fix works properly.
- Jim |
