www.nationalpost.com/ Go to "Search" on left side of page, type in "IBM", hit "Go" button, you will find this report listed as Item 2, Tuesday, September 21,1999. The following quotes are taken from the internal organ of IBM, "Think" magazine, a special 1999 issue to their employees (Reporter Jonathan Chevreau, Financial Post reporting.)

First, let's take care of Factfinder, the believer in the integrity of embedded chips:

Name: IBM, alias (let's call it that even though we know it isn't) for International Business Machines. Name: Factfinder, alias for ________

Length of time in business, IBM, "...IBM acknowledges it has been essentially near 'ground zero' in the whole Y2K phenomenon. In 1964, it reminds us, IBM introduced the Sysem/360 mainframe, and used a two digit year to conserve space on punch cards." Factfinder works for company ________

IBM's conclusions on embedded chips:"The publication warns of the billions of embedded chips contained in such diverse technologies as oil-drilling equipment, airplanes, medical devices and microwave ovens. "...efforts to find and fix embedded chips will continue 'well after Jan. 1, 2000.'"

Factfinder's conclusions on embedded chips: No problem.

Other conclusions and warnings from IBM to their employees (I think they have been reading my posts to this forum):

Make personal contingency plans including extra cash.

"'In planning for the transition to 2000, nothing is being taken for granted, and few scenarios are too far-fetched.'"

"'Stock non-perishable foods, water and medications you use regularly...extra bateries on hand in case of power failures.'"

"While personal preparation suggestions are often cited by Y2K skeptics as coming from the lunatic fringe (I guess that is me, Marcella), it's quite another thing coming from IBM..."

"...all markets, all businesses, all governments and all communities are interconnected." How many times have I said that!

"In fact, IBM's graphic descriptions of Y2K interconnectedness and interdependencies aren't radically different from the dire falling-domino theories of such Y2K doomsayers as Dr. Gary North and Joe Boivin." By Jove, I think IBM has got it!

"It's not enough to convert your own business, because you're not ready until your entire supply chain is."

"...Y2K, according to IBM, is not primarily about the way we code dates in computer sofware, hardware or components. Rather, 'it's mostly about how information technology has spread throughout our economy, society and personal lives.'"

"It (IBM) came up with 10 scenarios 'that could possibly go wrong--from applications and systems failures to disruptions in utilities, telephone and public mail services.'" "It called the exercise 'sobering.'" "That's why businesses have developed contingency plans and why individuals should also regard some personal preparations as a form of insurance against disruptions."

All this from IBM, the mother of computer technology, reporting to their employees and urging them to personally prepare. What more is there to say?

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

Answers

Marcella,

Thanks for referencing the above article. I worked as a Y2K project management consultant to a fortune 500 company for several months last year. IBM was the prime project management consultant to this company. The company I worked for was several levels down on the food chain.

Anyway, what struck me when I interviewed a programmer for the client company regarding scope and project management support was the fact that it took about 30 hours for support for every hour of remediation. Thus, it may take 4 hours of programming time for remediation and testing and 120 hours for paper work and paper work reviews.

Since IBM had set-up this system, they were also providing a considerable amount of project management support to facilitate large client billings. It was, and is in IBM's self-interest to paint a very bleak picture of Y2K. So where does that leave us, in our search for knowledge? Nowhere.

I am trying to keep an open mind regarding Y2K impacts. At this point in time, I don't believe anyone, yet, to be on the safe side, I'm preparing.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

Amusing...I suggest that this be retitled "FactFinder misquoted vs. IBM misrepresented".

Regards,

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

Bill,

Sure, you could be right about IBM. But, then again, this information was from *inside* the company, directed to employees. What's the motive there, scaring employees? How does that help IBM?

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

Gordon,

It gives them credibility with the client. They can point out how they are even telling thier employee's to prepare. Notice that they lined-up thier prep theme with that of the Red Cross, which is in keeping with the " party line" of preparing for a three day storm. I really hate to be so cynical but it is in IBM's self-interest to paint a black picture of Y2K.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

If its good enough for IBM it's good enough for me! Several days ago I talked to our House Insurance Co. Any Property damage related to Y2K rollover is an EXCLUSION CLAUSE in your insurance and therefore "NOT" covered. So frozen water pipes and associated damage, vandelism, fire, theft _______________(your choice) associated with Y2K rollover is "NOT" covered. Phone your local insurance broker and then consider your preparations!

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

Bill,

<<< "Think" magazine, a special 1999 issue to their employees (Reporter Jonathan Chevreau, Financial Post reporting.)>>>

It would be interesting to know when this THINK magazine was released. The article just says that it is a 1999 special issue.

The Red Cross put out their preparation guide a good while ago, maybe a year or so. If IBM put theirs out in early 1999 then I might agree with you but if they just put this out recently then maybe it is more likely a concern for employees than a ploy to gain new customers. Why paint such a black/bleak picture at this late date? I dunno, maybe there are reasons.

I have no idea what will happen and I am no expert but I am prepared about as good as can be. But not only that, I have done alot to help prepare our meager staff of seven. The reason is twofold, 1. I care about them (4 of the 7 have worked with us for over 20 years) and 2. with a prepared staff, our family business will be more likely to operate with a good level of competency in the event there are problems "across the street".

Maybe IBM is thinking the same thing. Encourage employees to prepare so that they will be more likely to show up for work.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

I've let this thread run on about as long as I care to. It's being selectively weeded at the moment. I'm going to start another thread so this message is at the top: once again, I ask that you challenge the idea or premise - not the person.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 1999

I did not quote Factfinder, I summarized, and I did not misrepresent IBM's magazine article. I did quote them, word for word.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 1999