INSTITUTIONS ADDRESS MILLENNIUM BUG

For Southeast Missouri State University and other institutions, the new millennium comes with a hefty price tag.

The year 2000 computer problem known as the Y2K bug has sparked businesses and institutions to invest heavily in computer upgrades.

The computer problem lies in two zeroes.

Decades ago, computer programmers began using two digits to refer to years in software and the billions of microprocessor chips embedded in electronic devices. A computer would recognize "94" as 1994.

But on Jan. 1, 2000, computers that aren't Y2K compliant could interpret 2000 as 1900, generating all sorts of computer malfunctions.

Locally, it's a problem that is being addressed by a variety of institutions and businesses, ranging from City Hall to Cape Girardeau's two hospitals.

Southeast Missouri State University expects to have upgraded all of its campus computers by Sept. 30 at a cost of nearly $1 million.

The university spent nearly $113,000 last fiscal year to update or replace software systems and other equipment. The fiscal year ended June 30.

Southeast expects to have spent another $850,000 by the time October rolls around.

Don Krueger, who directs computer services at Southeast, said most of the money is being spent on replacing and upgrading personal computers or PCs as they are called.

The university has about 2,000 computers in its offices, classrooms and computer labs.

Some 400 computers will be replaced. Others will be upgraded.

The university had to replace one of its main-frame computers. Instead of buying a new one at a cost of about $1 million, the university bought a 2- to 3-year-old model for about $100,000, Krueger said.

Southeast has bought some new software. The school's computer services department has written a number of its own computer programs, too, in an effort to rid itself of the millennium bug.

Krueger dismisses the doomsayers who view the Y2K bug as the end of civilization.

"I am pretty sure we will have some reports that print out 1900, but that is not earth threatening," he said.

Krueger said the university can operate as long as it can pay people and enroll students.

"The world is not going to come to an end, I don't think," said Krueger.

Cape Girardeau has spent about $850,000 upgrading its computers over the past few years.

The city has a new computer network and new computers.

All city facilities are tied into the new computer system. Old computers have been upgraded, said Walter Denton, assistant city manager.

Cape Girardeau's city government used to operate with numerous stand-alone computers. City personnel in one building couldn't communicate electronically with those in another facility.

Denton said the city decided to upgrade its computer system to improve efficiency. Solving the Y2K problem was a "fortunate byproduct," he said.

The city still may have to make improvements to computer operations at the sewage treatment plant and some computerized traffic signals may need to be upgraded, Denton said.

The city plans to replace many of the older traffic signals.

Denton said the city has a team of employees studying what improvements still need to be made to be Y2K compliant.

Both of Cape Girardeau's hospitals have replaced or upgraded equipment in an effort to avoid the millennium bug.

Southeast Missouri Hospital expects to have spent more that $1 million on everything from computer upgrades to a new telephone system by year's end.

The telephone system was replaced in the past year. "It was 25 years old and needed to be replaced," said Jerry Sanders, the hospital's assistant administrator.

Much of the hospital's computer equipment is in good shape, he said.

St. Francis Medical Center has spent about $275,000 upgrading its computers and equipment.

That cost could climb if it has to upgrade its dictation and fire alarm systems, said Diane Gammon, director of information systems for St. Francis.

Gammon said the hospital has checked its medical equipment for Y2K problems. Most of the equipment, such as pumps and heart monitors, has passed the test.

Both hospitals have sent out letters inquiring if key suppliers and vendors have addressed the millennium bug in their operations.

Computers are vital to everything from insurance payments to the shipping of hospital supplies, Sanders and Gammon said.

As much as possible, the hospitals want to make sure their facilities will run smoothly when 2000 rolls in.