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Technology Stocks : TAVA Technologies (TAVA-NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Karl Drobnic who wrote (28785)	2/24/1999 5:45:00 AM
From: Jay Maitland	Respond to of 31646

From todays WSJ..... 24 Febuary 1999 Health-Care Industry Is Ill-Prepared For Y2K Problem, Senate Panel Finds By JOHN SIMONS Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WASHINGTON -- The $1.5 trillion U.S. health-care industry is one of the least prepared for problems that might arise from the year-2000 computer glitch, which "carries a significant potential for harm," according to a Senate committee report. The report, to be released later this week, assesses the preparedness of all major U.S. industries for the so-called Y2K problem, which stems from the inability of some computer systems to differentiate between the years 2000 and 1900. It notes that rural and inner-city hospitals are particularly at risk of major system failures. The study follows nine months of Senate hearings and survey research conducted by the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem. It offers a broad overview of the economy's major sectors, including financial institutions, general business, government, telecommunications, transportation and utilities. According to a recent study by Gartner Group Inc., 64% of U.S. hospitals -- the majority of them small facilities -- have no plans to test their Y2K readiness. It also found that some 90% of doctors are unaware of how the Y2K bug might affect medical devices and critical systems. Small businesses, agriculture, construction, education and food processing are also "lagging behind" in addressing Y2K glitches, according to the Senate report. But it also offers some heartening news: Banking, telecommunications and utilities are largely expected to have any glitches resolved well in advance of Jan. 1, 2000. Still, consumers should expect small disruptions in electric power and telephone service, said Sen. Robert Bennett (R., Utah), head of the Senate panel. While Sen. Bennett said he believes the U.S. economy won't be affected by the Y2K issue, he is concerned about the ripple effects from unprepared international trading partners. The report noted that several are "severely behind" in correcting Y2K issues. Jay

To: Karl Drobnic who wrote (28785)	2/24/1999 8:13:00 AM
From: Manzanillo	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 31646

<<Senate panel warns of business fallout from Y2K bug Computer bug may spur Crash of 2000 <<Here is how the Senate panel sees Y2K affecting various sectors of the U.S. economy: UTILITIES. Only about 50 percent of electric utilities had repaired Y2K systems as of December. ''Of greatest concern are about 1,000 small, rural electric utilities.'' Local and regional blackouts are ''likely,'' but a ''prolonged, nationwide blackout'' is not. HEALTH CARE. Some 64 percent of hospitals have no plans to test their Y2K fixes before the crunch date. Some 90 percent of doctors' offices are unaware of how exposed they are to Y2K problems. Federal payment systems for Medicare and other health-insurance programs are behind schedule for repair. ''The health-care industry is one of the worst-prepared for Y2K and carries a significant potential for harm.'' TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Some 95 percent of telephone systems are expected to be ready. No reliable data exists on readiness to test data networks, cellular or satellite communications systems, or 1,400 regional carriers. TRANSPORTATION. ''On average, the nation's 670 domestic airports started Y2K compliance too late,'' the report states. The Federal Aviation Administration has ''made great strides'' but ''it still has a way to go. . . . Planes will not fall out of the sky, but flight rationing to some areas and countries is possible.'' Aviation problems will be ''much worse'' abroad. FINANCE. Banks and automated tellers are expected to function and to have enough cash. The Federal Reserve intends to expand available currency by one-third, to about $200 billion, to cover withdrawals ''and has other contingency arrangements available if needed,'' Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday. GOVERNMENT. Federal agencies vary widely in preparedness; among the least prepared is the Defense Department. (A House panel monitoring federal Y2K efforts issued an overall grade of C+ on Tuesday. Defense reported that only 72 percent of its ''mission-critical systems'' are ready; Transportation, only 53 percent. John Koskinen, chairman of President Clinton's Y2K Council, told a computer-industry forum last week that he is confident federal agencies will be ready in time. The Senate report concludes that not all ''mission-critical'' federal systems will be ready, ''but wholesale failures'' of federal services ''will not occur.'' However, state and local governments vary widely in preparations, the Senate panel said, noting its ''greatest concern is the ability of local communities to provide 911 emergency services.'' BUSINESS. Heavily regulated fields such as banking, insurance and finance ''are furthest ahead,'' but ''health care, oil, education, agriculture, farming, food processing and the construction industry are lagging behind,'' the report said. Any failure of a critical system is likely to cost up to $3.5 million to repair and to take 3 to 15 days. INTERNATIONAL. Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, which together supply 30 percent of U.S. oil imports, are both 12 to 18 months behind Y2K repair efforts in the U.S., exemplifying how problems abroad might have an impact here. Infection of repaired U.S. computer systems from links to unfixed foreign ones is also worrisome. Perhaps equally worrisome is how impossible it is to measure the problem in advance. ''It is unfortunate how little we still know about the scope and the severity of the Y2K problem for the U.S. and for the world,'' the Senate report observes. >> herald.com

To: Karl Drobnic who wrote (28785)	2/24/1999 9:14:00 AM
From: Karl Drobnic	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 31646

Note the wording, "As currently structured, the engagement includes..." in yesterday's USPS announcement. So the "engagement" is evolving. "Engagement" is what TAVA officials say when they expect the back end to lead to more work. "As currently structured" sounds like pure JJ - it's a message to us that there's more work being negotiated. "Independent verification and validation" sounds like TAVA will be sending trainers to show USPS technicians how to hit the database - an extremely high profit margin activity for TAVA. Sounds like the best of MEP with more to come.