Re: What after Year2000

On Jun 17 1997 Dave Mahadevan wrote:

(and yes it was a long time ago, but I'm just back after my long break. Hi 
again, everyone.)

>I am sure Dave kahn will have a lot of insight into the Russian
>methods of coping with problems.

Well I'm flattered of course, but I'm not sure I'm in a position to shed 
very much light. The software we're using in Kazakstan is Y2K compatible, 
but that's because we're using J.D. Edwards. I can also tell you that much 
of the computer hardware and software in use in the CIS was and is blatantly 
stolen from the West.

Our experience is that business practices in the Soviet Union were 
antiquated and obviously not geared to a market economy, and nearly all 
enterprises of any size were state run. Most businesses therefore are 
relatively new and will either not be computerised or will have computerised 
recently, probably using the very latest American software. They may well be 
in a better shape as far as Y2K problems go than many western enterprises 
with legacy code.

The education level and technical training of Russian technicians and 
programmers is extremely high and their problem solving abilities are at 
least as good as those of their counterparts in the West. I think their main 
problems are where state funded organisations cannot pay the salaries 
required to retain good people, or afford to update obsolete equipment. For 
example, nuclear power stations are struggling to keep running safely 
(assuming they already are, that is). How much these problems are compounded 
by Y2K issues I don't know.

What I am fairly certain of is that they are perfectly aware of the problems 
they are facing, and also fully aware of the Y2K discussions in the West.


Dave Kahn - Tengizchevroil, Kazakstan
=========

e-mail:  kahn@tco.infonet.com       (until August 5th)
         dkahn@cix.compulink.co.uk  (from  August 6th)
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