months to go, staffing the Year 2000 team could be a cause of major anxiety for companies. According to Casper Jones, a noted year 2000 consultant, "1996 was the last year in which a midsize corporation with a software portfolio of a half-million function point could have finished work on time without extraordinary staffing measures. Those include halting all but emergency and required work, assigning up to 85% of staff, running round-the-clock efforts and partnering with consortia or industry groups."(6) Surveys show the growing staffing shortage and it will only continue to get worse. The real shortage will come when federal government will get serious about year 2000 fixes. Organizations with head start and adequate staff are not all that secure – they could be the target of companies seeking ready-made expertise. The cost to repair codes stands at $1.50 per line currently. Some expects it to at least double over the next few months. Experts say, there is still hope for late starters. If they act quickly. Late starters still benefit from others’ denial of the problems(6). Outsourcing still remains a option for some. Some large and many small consulting firms are still seeking new businesses. Off-shore providers can also provide some relief. More companies are also getting back to their retirees for help. The retirees may have not only the necessary experience, but they also may know the system better than the outsiders. What’s in the Future? Companies that have their project 2000 well under control as well those who are starting out -- both needs some future planning. If nothing else, they should review the legal issues involving their business and have a well drawn contingency plan in place. Buying a liability insurance, just as other business insurance, may not be an option -– companies cannot insure out of this one. While some insurance coverage is available, the cost of coverage and loopholes in policies m...
