Y2K's Final Countdown.

• Author: MIDDLETON, SAUNDRA
• Position: Brief Article

Y2K-related episodes in Alaska probably won't be a single momentous event like a flood or wildfire. They may be like a lingering hangover.

When the Apple drops on the new year will the world be ready?

Working feverishly to prepare for the new century, obstacles have been overcome by those racing to meet the Y2K challenge. Social Security led the way. Banks followed. FAA, receiving the most heat around the country, finished their systems days before deadline. Other success stories cloak our nation.

However, efforts are not quite over. Experts cannot predict the full implications resulting from Y2K glitches. A majority of companies dangle a caveat with their Y2K readiness disclosures--"Expect some disruptions ...."

With most companies targeting mainly mission-critical operations for remediation, it's unknown what systems will fail or how Y2K will affect business.

The Senate Y2K Committee's September report noted concerns, including:

* Small utility companies that fail to report their Y2K readiness.

* Health care facilities in inner cities and rural areas that lack necessary resources to check the thousands of medical devices.

* International concerns that abound, as most of the world is not ready.

* An estimated 1.4 million small businesses that have not fixed their Y2K problems.

For those businesses yet to address Y2K beyond the planning stage, Sam Dickey with the Small Business Administration stresses two actions of great importance:

Become compliant: The fix for a small business usually doesn't involve the lengthy preparations, stockpiles of cash and remediation of millions of lines of code typical of large organizations. Often, it simply means a software upgrade.

Backup: Protect your systems by backing up everything on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31.

Dickey also suggests that if a business needs to buy a little time, computer clocks turned back to 1972 replicates the leap year and days of the week similar to 2000. He warns against using this for time-sensitive calculations.

"Even if you don't think Y2K is an issue, at least do contingency planning in case your suppliers or customers have a problem," advises Sally Suddock of the Alaska High-Tech Business Council.

Many financial experts predict a recession due to the Y2K aftermath. Precautionary measures shielding your business from an economic downturn may be a prudent addition to disaster recovery plans.

Still, many see the advantages Y2K brings to the business world.

Dave Harbour, president of...