The Embedded Chip

But one of the largest threats of the year 2000 computer-date problem--also known as the millennium bug--is not the threat to computer systems, but the hazard to anything with an embedded chip--such as elevators or security systems.

As a security precaution, embedded chips in some elevators are programmed to make the elevator stop working if it is not serviced every year. In test runs, some elevators with an embedded chip stopped when the year was set to 2000 because they thought they had not been serviced in 99 years.

Madden says that the Internal Auditor's Office has been working with University Operations Services (UOS) to ensure that embedded chips will not create problems for Harvard buildings.

Associate Director of Applied Technologies for UOS Paul J. Malagrifa says that the group is examining the potential problems and has made an inventory of its systems.

To battle the embedded chip problem, Malagrifa says that UOS has put together a strategy to test the hardware in "all the buildings on campus, any building that has a fire alarm system or building automation system."

While solutions to the problem have not yet been implemented, Malagrifa says that UOS hopes to solve the embedded chip problem "as soon as possible."

Nevertheless, Chayim Herzig-Marx, director of information resources and services, says he plans to play it safe for the first few months after the turning of the new millennium.

"I personally plan on only taking the stairs for the first couple of months," Herzig-Marx jokes. "I've been practicing."

Herzig-Marx, who is leading the year 2000 effort in financial administrations says that student loans will not be affected by the millennium bug.

His office is currently addressing year 2000 issues which could affect student financial systems, budgeting and human resource operations.

But Herzig-Marx says the major systems are already fixed or are scheduled to be fixed soon.

"We are centrally responsible for the system that assigns student loans," Herzig-Marx says. "There will not [be a problem]--guaranteed," he says.

And according to Former Dean of engineering and applied sciences Paul C. Martin '52, whose office leads the year 2000 effort in FAS, the network should not experience any problems either.

Martin says that FAS, which deals with the Faculty appointment systems, HASCS and student systems--such as the network--is addressing the year 2000 computer date problem. From the assessment which has been completed thus far, Martin says that he does not anticipate any serious mishaps.