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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tharos who wrote (6648)	7/11/1998 11:16:00 AM
From: vpelt	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

Tharos: You did well explaining the software or IT side of Y2K but there's also embedded systems that require attention that MAY, and I stress the word MAY, present more problems than the part of the Y2K you described. The issues around the use of the final 2 digits is the same. The SI thread I've included at the end that will provide a better presentation. I will briefly and in lay terms give you and others a general idea of what the embedded system problem may present. There are billions of microchips used throughout all phases of our lives; from manufacturing, transportation, HEALTHCARE, communications, financing and utilities to name a few... Many, if not most, of these chips have programming "etched" or burned where programming is permanently engraved. One cannot rewrite code to fix; to replace the chip or the whole piece of equipment is the only remediation. A per centage of those that are "embedded" are time/date sensitive while others are not. Trouble is, unless systems are assessed properly, chips identified as T/D sensitive affecting whatever process it controls and remediation occurs, disruptions are inevitable. To what degree; opinions differ. I recommend people read up and decide for themselves. To compound the issue; what if Company A is Y2K compliant but suppliers B, C, etc. are not and can't get materials to Company A in a timely fashion? There are Fortune 500 companies (ie. General Motors) that are concerned and dealing with this issue. Utilities are set up in grids, linked to each other. Supposedly there are T/D embedded chips that could shut down power plants. One reason has to do with controls for mandatory maintenance. If they are not performed within specified time frames the system will shut itself off. The chip has read "00" as 1900 rather than 2000 believing the maintenance schedule as overdue and shut down. If one plant shuts down it can affect others. We have a history with previous brown outs that affected some areas of different states at the same time. There are opinions that vary from this being a doomsday scenario to it being a hoax. Personally I find myself somewhere in the middle. At least being aware of potential problems and disruptions will help me and my family should anything come to pass. You know the old addage; "an ounce of prevention..." Again, I suggest follow up to other sources for better insight. I am not technically qualified to speak in depth on this; I only understand the potential problems and issues at hand. Refer to SI Thread: Year 2000 (Y2K) Embedded Systems & Infrastructure Problem There are also related links at that site. XOMA may not have any Y2K problems but I wouldn't be confident to say the "effect on hospitals and XOMA is zip"; it's not necessarily just an issue with billing. Regards, vpelt