Katherine, >Y2K is strictly a software problem in that a gas valve doesn't care what year it is. However, most semi equipment is heavily overlayed with software, creating some exposure. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that companies dealing with fab automation (robots, control software, etc) have the most Y2K exposure, and companies dealing with non-intelligent components (cassettes, some valves, etc) have the least. Everyone else is on a continuum. For any company, Y2K is a potential problem if they have the bug and it causes customers tolose product, but a potential opportunity if they've fixed the problem and their competitors haven't.<
Big Bucks, and other engineers, can you give us info regarding the Y2K exposure that AMAT has or will have with the Y2K problem? Should we be concerned or has AMAT addressed this problem with their robotics, etc?
Thanks.
Paul V. |
