Aberdeen Group analyst Andy Bochman said the pattern of those seeking his help on Y2K issues has followed an industrywide pattern. Large, US-based businesses were the first to begin testing for the Y2K Problem. Now, as more mass-produced testing products hit store shelves, less technically savvy business owners are beginning their own evaluations.
Bochman said many of the tools available to small-business owners are either modified versions of tools developed for larger businesses or were originally marketed to consumers.
"They've had the options," he said. "It's been a matter of whether they wanted to exercise them."
Giga Information Group analyst Andy Diamondstein said small-business owners should ask tool vendors for references and a demo. They should also assess how much technical support they might need after testing.
"They might want to consider technical support if they have data that's date-sensitive that they didn't develop," he said. "But most tools are pretty good at explaining what the problems are. I don't think many small businesses will need services, too."
Y2K Resources
http://www.senate.gov/~y2k: The US Senate's up-to-date Y2K page includes hearing testimony from leaders of the food, legal, and shipping industries.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/yk04743e.h... Industry Canada's site includes global and industry links.
http://www.microtech.doe.gov/y2k/: The US Department of Energy's Microtechnology Support Site covers desktops to networks and features comprehensive links.
http://www.sysmod.com/y2ksprds.htm: Systems Modelling Managing Director Patrick O'Beirne's page discusses Y2K compliance in popular spreadsheets, with vendor links and tips.
http://info.med.yale.edu/computing/year2... Yale Medical School's spreadsheet page features links to wizards that change and migrate dates where necessary.
Reference Y2K in Brief, IEEE Computer Magazine.
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