Y2K Action Week Begins

N/Asident's Council on Year 2000 Conversion and more than 100 private-sector organizations are launching "National Y2K Action Week" this week to motivate managers of small and medium-sized companies to face their Y2K problems. The goal is to encourage these managers to take all necessary steps to ensure that the technologies they and their business partners depend upon are "Y2K OK." As part of the initiative, organizers are also urging local governments and nonprofit organizations to take action on Y2K.

The core of National Y2K Action Week is hundreds of educational events hosted by Federal government field offices. Thus far, participating entities include:

  • The Small Business Administration's 69 district offices, 935 small business development centers, 65 business information centers, 35 women's business information centers, and 18 tribal business information centers
  • The Department of Commerce's 400 manufacturing extension partnership offices and 65 minority business development centers
  • The Department of Agriculture's 3,100 county extension offices
  • The Social Security Administration's 1,350 field offices
  • The Department of Transportation's 120 field offices.

The field office efforts will help managers assess how their businesses may be vulnerable to the Y2K problem both in their own computers and embedded systems and in relationships with outside service providers, develop strategies for remediation and replacement work, find technical resources for addressing the problem, and formulate contingency plans. Businesses can get information on local events by calling 1-800-U-ASK-SBA. N/Asident's Council on Year 2000 Conversion is working with the U.S. Postal Service to promote National Y2K Action Week through post offices across the country. The Council also is placing ads in major newspapers.

Private-Sector Involvement
More than 100 national associations representing industries, professions, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations are joining the President's Council in supporting National Y2K Action Week. These groups have committed to promoting the Week within their memberships and to helping their small and medium-sized members and affiliates acquire the information they need to address the Y2K problem.

"With so little time left before the Year 2000, it is extremely important for businesses to become aware of the possible disruptions that could be associated with the Year 2000," said Lori Levy, spokesperson for the <%=company%>, which endorses the initiative.

There is concern among lawmakers and industry representatives that small and medium size businesses aren't taking the Year 2000 problem seriously. In fact, according to a May 1998 Wells Fargo study, nearly 80 percent of small business owners are familiar with the Year 2000 issue, yet only 6 percent consider the problem very serious.

According to Levy, "Since businesses rely heavily on dates and date processing, all businesses could be affected by this problem." The problem not only affects mainframe computers and their programs, but also personal computers and every piece of hardware that contains a microchip including, manufacturing control systems, telecommunications, gas, water and electrical utilities, and transportation.

For its part, the insurance industry is helping educate policyholders of the potential disruptions that could occur from the date change. Levy said, "We're all in this together. Because insurers are leaders in advocating loss prevention measures, the insurance industry is educating policyholders about the Year 2000 and helping them identify resources to address potential problems in an effort reduce disruption.

The <%=company%> also has announced its support of National Y2K Action Week. "This is arguably the most significant issue facing small business owners today, and far too many of them have not yet taken the steps necessary to protect their businesses and their customers," said Jeffrey M. Yates, IIAA chief executive officer for State & Industry Affairs.