ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Travel agents using computers that are not
capable of recognizing the Year 2000 could find themselves in a
bind as early as next February, according to ASTA.
Computers that have not been updated will misread 2000 as 1900,
throwing off billing information and flight connection times while
creating a myriad of other data problems.
John Pittman, the Society's staff director of industry affairs
and travel technology, said agents are in a race against time
because travel inventory is usually available for sale 11 months in
advance. "In February, agents will start selling air inventory for
the Year 2000," said Pittman, "so they have to make sure their
itineraries will print out correctly. If you try to put information
in to produce invoices and your computer is not Y2K compliant, you
will produce inaccurate information."
ASTA also is advising agents who sell Year 2000 cruises to have
their clients sign a disclaimer because the air inventory won't be
available until early next year.
Although the CRSs expect to be running without any difficulty
when the century changes, agents who use personal computers for
billing or third-party software should check that the hardware and
programs are Y2K compliant, he said.
Pittman suggested that agents conduct a real-time
roll-over-and-set test (see sidebar below) on hardware and contact
their vendor to check third-party software.
Overall, Pittman said, "Most smaller agencies are pretty much
set for the Year 2000 because the CRSs are going to take care of
it, but if agents use third-party software they have to take
control. It is up to the agents to contact the vendors."
At a Glance: Y2K Checklist
Inventory all equipment used in your business, including
third-party hardware and software. Be sure to list mid- and
back-office systems and anything that relies on a silicone chip,
such as security alarm systems, fax machines, photocopiers and
telephone systems.Contact third-party vendors and find out who will be
responsible for fixing Year 2000-related problems and how much it
will cost.Perform a Year 2000, roll-over-and-set test on personal
computers. Reset the computer's clock to a few minutes before
midnight on Dec. 31, 1999. Turn the computer off, wait a few
minutes, then restart. If it is compliant, it should show the date
as Jan. 1, 2000. If the test doesn't work, reboot the computer with
a start-up disk. Remember to first disconnect the computer from any
network or other system.Don't purchase hardware or software unless it has been tested
to work in 2000. Even today, vendors are selling equipment that
will fail in 2000.