YEAR 2000 BUG COULD SPELL COMPUTER APOCALYPSE
By Adnews Staff
A thousand years ago, as the world approached the turn of the first millennium, some prognosticators warned of the coming end of the world. Today, as we get set to turn the page on another millennium, another more realistic problem lays ahead: The Year 2000 date-format crisis, commonly known as the "Year 2000 Bug". Companies will have to ensure that when that year dawns, their computers will know that it's the year 2000 and not 1900. Critical computer systems including those handling benefits, accounting, purchasing, pensions, inventory, sales and finance could be affected. The Year2000 Information Network, based in Toronto, has sprung up to act as a go-between for business and "Year 2000 Bug" consultants. Last week it launched an international Internet, direct mail and telemarketing campaign that will continue six months into the year 2000. The campaign, created in-house, concentrates on the Canadian market, but also reaches companies in the U.S., Australia, as well as outfits in western Europe and South America.