Action 2000 launches last ditch attempt

Businesses were warned today that 'This is your last chance' to deal with millennium problems.

In an effort to force companies to recognise the dangers posed by the millennium bug, Action 2000, the government watchdog, has launched the 'Last Chance Guide' providing companies with possible shortcuts to help minimise business risk.
Chairman Don Cruickshank said: "The 'wait and see' attitude of many businesses is a dangerous strategy and one that will lead to disaster.

"The millennium bug is a major threat to all businesses. No matter how thorough, no one is absolutely safe. That is why it is essential that the unexpected is taken into consideration and businesses have robust contingency plans in place."
These warnings come just days before another serious date change this Thursday - 9.9.99.

In some older computer codes, 9999 is used to terminate programs and there is some concern that systems still using this command could come to an unplanned end on Thursday.

Another concern at the moment for IT departments is anti-virus specialist Networks Associates' announcement that an unrelated 'Thursday' virus has affected banks and financial institutions in eight different countries.

A Word 97 macro virus, it affects the normal.dot file and then attempts to erase all files on the C: drive on December 13th. The main concern is that the nature of the virus is that of a sleeper, meaning users are unaware they are affected until December 13th, just a few days away from the Y2K deadline. So companies could be combating both a virus and a bug if they are not careful.

Julie Crisp