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Year 2000 and Small Business

The "Millennium Bug" does not only threaten government information networks and electronic systems. It also places at risk all actors of the global economy including small and medium enterprises. This page lists and rates electronic resources which will help understand, diagnose and find solutions to the Y2K problems, especially as it relates to SMEs..

Version Française

Last updated December 31st 1999

no star: Average ; Fair ; Good ; Very good ; Excellent ; Outstanding

Sites are reviewed individually and rated mostly according to content depth and value added, while also considering design, ease of navigation and speed of loading. For each category best resources are listed first.

CNET.com - Y2K One of the best sites for watching on-line the status of the eventual implications of the Y2K Bug when crossing the new millennium Y2K Cinderella Project This site defines itself as "an investigation and information exchange of zero-cost, minimal-impact computing solutions to address the Year 2000 problem", the basic premise being that small users, using older software, are not excluded from participating in surmounting the Year 2000 problem. Despite its "no frills" and somewhat coldish appearance, this is "THE" reference site with a definite bias towards technical concrete solutions. Do not miss the "Cinderella method" and the section on Small Business. U.S. Government's Council Committee on Year 2000 This web site is a clearinghouse for information on the Year 2000 computer problem. It is sponsored by the U.S. Chief Information Officers (CIO) Committee on Year 2000. An extremely comprehensive site which covers standards and definitions, resources for Y2K teams, government, small business, infrastructure, industry, citizen groups, and even vendor resources. Year 2000 computer problem This site, maintained by the Industrial Directorate of the European Union, presents information in various european languages on the Year 2000 computer problems. An excellent site. I particularly liked the way the information is organised (by issues, by sectors, by member states, etc.). Do not miss the links to other sites. Y2K Today Set up by Infrastructure Defense Inc, this non-profit public service site aims to provide the largest single repository of knowledge about Y2K. It is divided into 4 sections (Solutions, Scenarios, Contingencies, Future) in addition to providing Industry News. An excellent, very clear and well designed site. International Y2K Cooperation Center The IY2KCC was created under the auspices of the United Nations, with funding from the World Bank, to promote increased strategic cooperation and action among governments, peoples, and the private sector to minimize adverse Y2K effects on the global society and economy. Excellent site providing country Y2K readiness surveys as well as a Global Status Watch for use by national governments to report their situation to the public keeping them informed about events around the world during and after the date change. Russ Kelly's Year 2000 Awareness Website Excellent site providing up to date free information and solutions for the Year 2000 problem. The Year 2000 Problem: A Manual for SMEs This Manual, prepared by the OECD with the sponsorship of the French Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry, draws together a wide variety of international sources that address issues relevant to SMEs. Its aim is to help these firms as well as policy makers and the intermediaries who deal with SMEs to better understand, diagnose and address the Year 2000 problem. A very good site unfortunately plagued by a few incorrect internal links and slow loading cover. IBM's Help for Small and Medium Businesses This hard to find IBM subsite provides non-technical information to small and medium business to help them prepare for the Year 2000. In addition to inventory check lists and strategic preparations, it provides a very good document on testing. Do not miss either the link to IBM Year 2000 Home Page. The Year 2000 problem This OECD site provides a report (downloadable) on the Year 2000 problem and its impacts and proposed actions as well as a list of related country links. Very good site especially the section on country links. Millenium Bug Countdown This Tech Report from USAToday presents the latest Y2K news. The site is aimed at the general public and presents a good coverage of the situation. Do not miss the Y2K progress reports, particularly the one devoted to businesses. Year 2000 Millennium resource Site Ring Hosted by Y2K Links, a combination of grassroots info and commercial Y2K products, the Year 2000 Millennium resource Site Ring spins you to 126 sites on the same subject, daisy-chain style. A bit overwhelming but nevertheless very good. PRISME : Réseau d'assistance et de conseils pour l'informatique des PME One of the few francophone sites on the subject, this site from Luxemburg provides a very good and clear review of the subject (in terms understandable by anyone) as well as tools for providing solutions. A very good site. All Y2K Links This site designed to stimulate public awareness and debate about Y2K claims to be "The web's most comprehensive collection of Y2K-related links" and it's probably true as it includes everything from problem definition, government and industry sites, preparation advice, Y2K news, computer fixes,etc. to survival supplies. Very complete site although somewhat lacking in focus. InfoDev Year 2000 Initiative The World Bank's Information for Development Program (infoDev) has developed an overall Y2K strategy to remedy the most potentially serious disruptions at the turn of the year 2000 and help governments in its client countries manage the risks. This web site provides information on Y2K grants and includes a Y2K toolkit. The Y2K information pages section is very good and is available in english, french and spanish. SBA Small Business Help for the Year 2000 The U.S. Small Business Administration Y2K Home Page provides information on what small businesses should do when confronted with the "Millenium Bug". The best part is the "Y2K Self-Assessment and Checklists for Small Business". I particularly liked the last section on "How to check a personal computer for year 2000 readiness" Year 2000 kit for small business Developed by Prudential Insurance company this is a three-step plan (which can be downloaded) for small businesses to help prepare for Year 2000. I particularly liked their worksheets which should be a big help in implementing a corrective plan. Mission An 2000 This official site of the Ministry of Industry in France presents practical information on the Y2K issue. Do not miss the sections on affected systems and on other francophone and anglophone sites. Year 2000 Center Despite the fact that this is a semi-commercial site where subscribers get more information than non-subscribers, it is a very interesting site mostly because of the "enterprise" perspective of looking at things. Small Business Advisor: Y2K Problem A very simple, easy to understand site which brings up to light the fundamentals of the Y2K problem in terms of what you should do and not do in the next few months and right after December 31st 1999. CCF Year 2000 A site from the Credit Commercial de France, one of the biggest banks in France. The approach and advice for SMEs is interesting although the emphasis is mostly on the suppliers(hardware and software) who are expected to provide the answers. I liked the section and corresponding advice on personal PCs .