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(b)
how does the Government ensure that -
(
the computer systems for the management of power stations;
(ii)
the computer systems for the management of telephone networks; and
(iii) the computer systems and software used by various banks in operating their databases will not, in handling the new year digits, produce data errors which will affect the economy of the territory and the operation of its financial system?
Reply:
(a) (i) The Year 2000 problem on computer processors and software will not affect traffic light signals and area traffic computer systems, which will continue to operate in the normal manner beyond 2000.
(ii) With regard to government databases and computer software, the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) conducted a preliminary assessment of some 250 computer application systems it maintained in May 1996. About 20% of these systems may be affected by the Year 2000 problem. ITSD has started work to define the extent of non-compliance and to carry out necessary modification to these systems progressively. It will complete that all necessary modification work before the year 2000.
Apart from ITSD, six other government departments develop and maintain their own computer applications and have their own IT staff. The Year 2000 problem would affect about half of these 310 applications. These six departments, with the advice of ITSD, are also taking active steps to address the problem and complete the necessary modification of their systems before the year 2000.
(iii) The Asset Management System of the Hospital Authority, a computer system used for the management of assets including equipment, is already Year 2000 compliant. Therefore, there is no need for any programming adjustment to the system to deal with the Year 2000 problem.