Here at DMAC we now have a Unibase by DMAC AID programmer starting to convert our accounts receivable, sales call, and a host of other application programs to run with dates from both this century and the next century.

I want to add my voice to warn others not to put off checking year 2000 problems.

User Applications Must Be Changed

Yes, I know. Unibase by DMAC, release 7.4i, has successfully operated in a mixed century date environment. But, each individual users application program must be checked for date problems. We at DMAC cannot help there. The users people must do this. About once a week now we have to explain the difference between Unibase by DMAC, release 7.4i, being year 2000 compliant and programs written by the user being compliant.

All Software Should Be Tested

The year 2000 is going to hurt in other software areas too — software utilities, operating system software, and network system software. Gary Nelson wants me to be sure and tell everyone that Novell has released service packs to make Novell Netware year 2000 compatible.

Old Systems May Not Survive

A lot of the old proprietary hardware and software systems just are not going to make it. This means in the next 20 months a lot of people are going to have to upgrade. If there is a budget process involved, only ten months until the last possible budget year.

Financial Options Are Available

We still collect leasing companies which will buy the hardware and Unibase by DMAC software for a user and lease it to them. One leasing organization is just for software and will serve as a lessor of last resort. These third party lessors add about sixty days to the install cycle. Of course Seimens Nixdorf will lease Unibase by DMAC to its clients. And we at DMAC are adding Mastercard and Visa for those who wish to charge software.

We at DMAC are beginning to see our long term scheduling of installation people become committed. Multi-site clients are scheduling early so that they will finish before 2000. Our dealers are finding long term relationships blooming with people trying to lock up support for the unforeseen.

Y2000 Should Be Top Of List

I think this is the most important problem facing the service organizations we serve. If asked, I try to tell people get off non year 2000 compliant hardware and software first, then add the new imaging applications which will improve productivity.