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23 November 1999

Text: Daley Urges Testing of Embedded Systems for Y2K Problems

(Critical systems affect host of business operations) (500)

U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Daley has called on American businesses to test for Year 2000 computer problems in critical "embedded systems" hidden away in machines other than computers.

In a press release issued November 22 by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Daley said, "We urge businesses to be especially vigilant in testing embedded systems" that use computer chips to control or monitor everything from elevators to manufacturing plants.

A survey conducted by NIST and Century Corporation, a computer consulting firm, concluded that it is possible that many important systems have not been tested adequately. "Managers of these systems should, as a last resort, rely on assurances from suppliers and others that the individual components of a system are Y2K compliant," Daley said.

Following is the text of the NIST press release:

(begin text)

Nov. 22, 1999

Secretary Daley Urges Vigilance on Y2K Problem

Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley today urged American businesses to redouble their efforts to test for year 2000 computer problems that are hidden away in a variety of machines other than computers. Thorough testing of these "embedded systems" is a wise safety measure, Daley said.

"Ferreting out all the Y2K connections in the systems that run manufacturing plants, provide services to consumers, and control a host of operations that we all rely on is a tough job. We urge businesses to be especially vigilant in testing embedded systems," Daley said.

Embedded systems use computers or computer chips to control, monitor or augment a process. Such systems are found in everything from elevators to manufacturing plants.

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology and Century Corp., a computer consulting firm, have assessed the range of testing methods industry is using.

They conclude that it is possible that many important systems have not been tested adequately. NIST strongly recommends that all critical systems be tested literally from end to end.

"Managers of these systems should, as a last resort, rely on assurances from suppliers and others that the individual components of a system are Y2K compliant," Daley said. "I want to reinforce the message that I and others, including the President's Y2K Council, have been delivering about taking appropriate actions in readiness and contingency planning," he said.

A research article that includes guidelines for testing embedded systems by NIST and Century Corp. is available on the NIST web site at www.nist.gov/y2k/embeddedarticle.htm.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST strengthens the U.S. economy and improves the quality of life by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards through four partnerships: the Measurement and Standards Laboratories, the Advanced Technology Program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Baldrige National Quality Program.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

WhooooHeeeeeee! Dr. Paula Gordon, looks like your message may finally be percolating thru the strata into *some* brain cells.

Now all that is needed is a club, 2X4, and pitchfork for reinforcement.

23 November 1999

I say theres 39 days left. Get to work. Weve just got to go on overtime and get these things done. -- Horn

Ebenezer Scrooge, Meet Y2K Bug

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), November 23, 1999.

I am guessing the conversation on November 21, 1999 went something like this.

Secretary Daley: "What are these em-bed-ded chips you speak of?"

NIST: [blah,blah,answer,answer]

Secretary Daley: WHAT!!?!? YOU'RE KIDDING?!? [turning to an underlying] Get my press officer on the phone!

:^O

-- Pete (pberry1_98@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

This is the most rediculous press release I've ever seen!!! If Mr. Daley had any hint of a clue what's involved in embedded systems, why would he wait until now to sound the alarm...?? Gee, he'd better contact the oil companies, too...

-- No Polly (nopolly@hotmail.com), November 23, 1999.

Nah, he meant "CANADIEN businesses to test for Year 2000 computer problems in critical "embedded systems" hidden away in machines other than computers"...!

-- Hokie (newportnews@va.com), November 23, 1999.

This is the same William Daley who made some extremely pollified statements to the press last week. He said Y2K wouldn't even slow down the economy, and he wasn't going to lose any sleep over it. These new statements are his disclaimer.

-- Bill Byars (billbyars@softwaresmith.com), November 23, 1999.