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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
has much to be desired in its management of and professionalism in computer technology.
As seen in the reply document, the Department is only seeking written confirmation from suppliers on whether computer application systems that affect people's living such as SPORTIX and URBTIX are Year 2000 compliant. I can see that our management staff have not formulated a plan for detailed testing. If a problem arises in 2000, say the computer cannot issue a ticket for 29 February 2000, I think we have a lot to answer for. Good management dictates careful planning for the prevention of accidents. I suggest there is need for a detailed plan in this respect.
The reply document points out that the testing will be carried out at our disaster recovery site. I don't think it is a proper way to handle the matter because the function of the site is not to test Year 2000 compliance. We are hiring a venue for Phase 1 of our recovery centre. If we rely on the Centre to carry out the testing, we need additional resources and it would affect the effectiveness of the centre. I think it is unprofessional to lump the two functions together.
Another thing is that even in Hong Kong, an ordinary computer company has to spend a lot to solve this problem. A budget of $2 million is definitely too small. I want to ask if it is possible for us to have additional resources for hiring an outside agency or setting up a professional team to test and check our computer hardwares and softwares in order to ensure that they are Year 2000 compliant. I hope the Administration Select Committee or its Information Technology Sub-Committee can come up with a detailed plan for testing at their upcoming meetings. My question is whether detailed testing can be carried out. It is not as simple as that spelt out in the reply document.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): Many Members have suggested new working styles for the Provisional Urban Council. I myself support it. However, we should stick to the Standing Orders. I mean that when you raise a question, you should not put in your personal comments. I will stop you if you go beyond that limit. In the past, I was more relaxed so that more Members could give their views. From now on, I intend to confine questions to be raised in the form of questions. Therefore, I would ask the Chairman of the Select Committee to be reminded that he can just ignore the example of 29 February 2000.
There are now two questions. The first one is whether we can contract out to private companies. The second one is whether we can set up a professional team. Shall we consider these two questions as put?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think the more appropriate forum for Mr. CHUNG's professional opinions is at the meetings of the Information Technology Sub-Committee. I would like to reply to the questions raised just now.
Page 168 of 654
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Page 167 of 654
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168
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
has much to be desired in its management of and professionalism in computer technology.
As seen in the reply document, the Department is only seeking written confirmation from suppliers on whether computer application systems that affect people's living such as SPORTIX and URBTIX are Year 2000 compliant. I can see that our management staff have not formulated a plan for detailed testing. If a problem arises in 2000, say the computer cannot issue a ticket for 29 February 2000, I think we have a lot to answer for. Good management dictates careful planning for the prevention of accidents. I suggest there is need for a detailed plan in this respect.
The reply document points out that the testing will be carried out at our disaster recovery site. I don't think it is a proper way to handle the matter because the function of the site is not to test Year 2000 compliance. We are hiring a venue for Phase 1 of our recovery centre. If we rely on the Centre to carry out the testing, we need additional resources and it would affect the effectiveness of the centre. I think it is unprofessional to lump the two functions together.
has
Another thing is that even in Hong Kong, an ordinary computer company to spend 10 billion dollars to solve this problem. A budget of 2 million dollars is definitely too small. I want to ask if it is possible for us to have additional resources for hiring an outside agency or setting up a professional team to test and check our computer hardwares and softwares in order to ensure that they are Year 2000 compliant. I hope the Administration Select Committee or its Information Technology Sub-Committee can come up with a detailed plan for testing at their upcoming meetings. My question is whether detailed testing can be carried out. It is not as simple as that spelt out in the reply document.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Many Members have suggested new working styles for the Provisional Urban Council. I myself support it. However, we should stick to the Standing Orders. I mean that when you raise a question, you should not put in your personal comments. I will stop you if you go beyond that limit. In the past, I was more relaxed so that more Members could give their views. From now on, I intend to confine questions to be raised in the form of questions. Therefore, I would ask the Chairman of the Select Committee to be reminded that he can just ignore the example of 29 February 2000.
There are now two questions. The first one is whether we can contract out to private companies. The second one is whether we can get up a professional team. Shall we consider these two questions as put?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think the more appropriate forum for Mr. CHUNG's professional opinions is at the meetings of the Information Technology Sub-Committee. I would like to reply to the questions raised just now.
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