December 15, 1999

Idaho State Government Agencies Report They Are 'Y2K Ready'

BOISE, ID - After several years of conducting the largest, single information technology project in Idaho state government history, and with only 16 days to go before the Year 2000, major agencies are reporting their computer systems, software applications, and other automated (date sensitive) devices are 'Y2K ready.'

"Our computing systems have been tested, upgraded and where appropriate, replaced to assure the State of Idaho is well prepared for the date transition into the New Year and beyond," stated Pam Ahrens, Chairman of the Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC); and Y2K Public Liaison, appointed by Governor Dirk Kempthorne.

During the regular meeting of the ITRMC held Wednesday morning (Dec. 15) state agency year-end progress was reported, with major agencies stating that all critical systems have been fully corrected and tested, with all system fixes put into production mode.

According to Miles Browne, Y2K Spokesman and ITRMC Project Team Manager, the only exception is the final programming to certain tax systems for legislative changes, which will be completed prior to year-end. These systems have been remediated and tested for Y2K, but will receive a final testing in conjunction with the implementation of the legislative changes.

Since May, 1996, when the ITRMC began addressing the state's Y2K readiness, approximately 1,100 separate systems throughout all state agencies were identified for specific assessment, remediation, testing and implementation processes. Within this pool of systems, 29 were deemed to be "mission critical." (having potential public safety/health or financial impact).

These critical projects include such systems as:

The State of Idaho's statewide Public Safety Radio & Microwave system (provides public safety radio services for all state agencies including Law Enforcement, Transportation, Fish & Game, etc.)
Tax Revenue Processing, Collections and Refunds,
Health & Welfare Mainframe Systems (Women, Infant & Children Health; Child Support; etc.)
Unemployment Taxes and Benefits,
Drivers License and Vehicle Registration,
State Employee Retirement Benefits, and
State Accounting/Financial Management and Payroll

"These systems were all subject to stringent review, remediation and testing to identify and eliminate any Y2K related problems," Browne added. In addition, detailed contingency plans have been prepared for each critical system These plans define how business operations that are supported by these systems will be maintained in the event of either a system failure or some other form of Y2K disruption, such as power or telecommunications failures.

Following its regular meeting, the ITRMC conducted a press conference to provide further information on the state's Y2K readiness efforts and activities. As a part of the press briefing, John Cline, Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services announced its statewide Emergency Management System would be in 24-hour operations from Dec. 28 to January 4, 2000. The BDS Center staff will be working closely with emergency coordinators in Idaho's 44 counties and with state and local governments to handle any potential new year-related situations should they arise.

"Despite all the work that's been done, Y2K remains a countdown event. The fact is that no one can predict exactly what is going to happen when the New Year arrives," Ahrens commented, saying that Idahoans are known for their resourcefulness and common sense when confronted by such emergency challenges, unexpected or expected.

"I'm confident we will prudently prepare our homes and our families as we would for any potential emergency situation; and also be mindful of how our neighbors are doing up the street," she said.