Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON -- "We'll keep selling groceries, no matter what the
year 2000 brings," a Defense Commissary Agency spokesman said.
Herb Greene of the agency public affairs office said the defense
grocer is working on fixing the so-called Year 2000 computer bug
at all 294 commissaries worldwide. "We don't expect major
problems," he said. "There may be a few embedded microchips we
miss that won't allow us to open a time lock, for example, but
we believe we've caught most of the problems."
The Year 2000 problem, nicknamed "Y2K" and "millennium bug,"
refers to a past computer industry practice of writing years
with just two digits -- 1999 would be "99." Because of this
digital shorthand, on Jan. 1, 2000, some computer systems and
equipment that use microchips might read "00" as "1900." This
error could generate more inaccurate data and even cause systems
to shut down. Computer systems that won't handle the year change
correctly must be fixed or replaced. Systems that will work
correctly are called "Y2K-compliant."
The commissary agency has been working on Y2K fixes since it
became aware of the potential problem several years ago, Greene
said.
Agency specialists identified mission-critical systems early and
will have them all Y2K-compliant by October, said Stanton H.
Ferguson Jr., the DeCA Year 2000 program manager. Mission-
critical systems are those that allow the agency to sell
groceries, to restock and to pay vendors, he said. DeCA has
completed testing of the integrated scanning system to ensure it
will work after Jan. 1, 2000, officials said.
The agency has also worked with credit card and debit card
providers to ensure these services will continue to be available
to the 11 million customers worldwide.
The agency has also considered that others may not be as far
along in stomping out the millennium bug. "Contingency plans
have been developed to provide detailed procedures for
unanticipated Y2K disruptions and to provide for continuity of
operations should the unexpected occur," Ferguson said.
"Uninterrupted power sources in the stores provide backup
electricity. [This will] ensure registers and electronic payment
systems continue to operate."
Agency employees are checking into all other areas of the stores
to ensure everything is Y2K-compliant. This includes fire and
security alarms, refrigeration monitoring systems and telephone
systems. Officials are fixing or replacing systems as needed.
DeCA works with thousands of vendors worldwide. Officials are
also working with suppliers to ensure the interface between the
agency and the vendors continues to operate in 2000.
Bottom line, said officials, is that service members do not need
to run out and stockpile groceries. "We've worked through
hurricanes, floods and all sorts of natural disasters," Greene
said. "Our people are committed to getting groceries to military
people. We'll continue to do so."
Related Site of Interest: DefenseLINK Confronting
Y2K
American Forces Press Service
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