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February 19, 1999
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Volume 6, Number 11 |
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About OCNCover
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YEAR 2000Task Force reports progress on Y2K Project
Thanks to the efforts of college and unit representatives institution-wide, the Presidential Y2K Task Force has received approximately 75% of the data for research and unit applications and equipment, desktop computers, and servers. The Task Force is providing assistance to those who have not yet provided Y2K data and, as such, new information is submitted on a daily basis. The Desktop team and Research/College/Unit team are in the second phase of data collection. Unit contacts have been asked to provide further information about critical items and to outline proposed strategies for compliancy resolution. Contacts responsible for providing data on research and unit applications and equipment may wish to use the assessment guide, written by Mike McGillivray. The guide has been posted in the Technical Resources directory of the Y2K Web site (http://www.usask.ca/y2k/resources/). It outlines steps for identifying and resolving Y2K issues and provides information about contingency planning. Contacts responsible for providing data on desktop computers and servers may wish to reference the procedures document, written by Jonathan Moore. This document is also available in the Technical Resources directory at the location listed above. It provides information about the identification of critical computers and the testing/assessment of hardware, software, and data. Although data collection is an ongoing process, both teams expect to complete the risk assessment of critical items later this month.
Other members of the Task Force have been busy overseeing data collection in other key areas of institutional activity. The External Suppliers team has collected data from approximately half of the University's major suppliers. The team is distributing reminder letters to non-respondents and expects to finalize the list of chosen suppliers this summer. The Related Corporate Entities team has collected Y2K data from 90% of organizations directly affiliated with the institution. The development of a document outlining University "partners" and corresponding business relationships will continue throughout 1999 and, as such, the team will contact other organizations as appropriate. Through collaboration with the Task Force, the Health/Safety/Security team is assessing all critical items and determining potential threats to individual and/or unit health and safety. Security Services has already assessed a number of key institutional areas, including laboratories, alarm systems, and video cameras. Facilities Management has essentially completed its inventory and is in the process of prioritizing these items through an inventory analysis. Upon completion of this task, they intend to establish target dates and initiate testing of critical systems and sub-systems. To date, about 90% of the Y2K problems for Major Computer Applications and External Interfaces have been identified. Computing Services will estimate a cost to address these issues, and further assessment and testing will continue throughout and beyond 1999.
Bob Eaton, project manager and Nowell Seaman, Insurance Services, have determined the scope of contingency plans for the University. The planning process is considered a formalized "sub-project" of the Y2K Project, one that requires extensive collaboration from the institutional community. As such, Eaton and Seaman will be requesting participation from the Task Force as well as other unit representatives across campus. Facilities Management staff is currently reviewing and developing their own contingency plans. Although they are working with external service providers to ensure minimal disruptions upon arrival of Year 2000, there are no guarantees of 100% uninterrupted service. Meanwhile, institutional units are encouraged to consider and develop their own contingency plans, under the "umbrella" of the institutional contingency plans. A number of meetings will be held on campus to help facilitate this process. For further information, contact Bob Eaton at 966-4854 or at bob.eaton@usask.ca For more information about the Y2K Project on campus, visit the Web site at http://www.usask.ca/y2k/ Questions or comments can be directed to Y2000@usask.ca - Corinne Szwydky
For further information, visit the web site or contact communications@usask.ca
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Next issue of On Campus News: Friday, March 12
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