STORY:
Small Business In Chicago Lagging

Survey shows small to mid-size businesses behind in Y2K remediation

Results of a recent survey conducted by the Y2K Task Force, a committee formed by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to provide area businesses with information and support on Year 2000-related issues, indicates that small and mid-sized businesses in the area are behind in Y2K remediation, validation and legal protection.

Specifically, survey results indicate that:

• Only 37 percent of respondents believe they are 100 percent complete with remediation plans for Y2K. -- 56 percent of respondents have not verified Y2K compliance with vendors and suppliers. -- 82 percent of respondents have not considered legal defense in preparing for the Year 2000.

These survey results further emphasize the need for Y2K information and support by area businesses regardless of what stage they are at in the compliance process," said Gerald J. Roper, president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. "The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is committed to provide consistent, reliable information and support on Year 2000 related situations as long as the need exists."

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce formed the Task Force with expert representatives from all fields of Y2K. It is a coalition of more than 40 civic, business and technology organizations. The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA], The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), The Y2K Illinois Coordinating Committee, The Illinois Coalition, The Chicago Computer Society and The Chicago Software Association make up the coalition.

"The experts serving on the Y2K Task Force have assembled a significant number of products and services to provide solutions to area businesses in addressing their Y2K needs. We have developed a process to help them assess their problems and a method to connect them with a number of vendors and consultants who can provide appropriate solutions," said Jim Bidwill, president of Bidwill International and chairman of the Chamber's Y2K Task Force.

Small businesses may be lagging in Y2K-preparation efforts because either they do not know where to start or believe they are already completely Y2K compliant.

To address this, the Y2K Task Force has developed a "matchmaking" service available to businesses free of charge. Through the Chicagoland Chamber Web site at www.chicagolandchamber.org, companies can access a process that provides a Y2K assessment of their business by clicking on the 'Y2K INFO' icon. Among the options is filling out a short survey, which the program then analyzes to provide appropriate vendor contact information to the inquiring company.

In addition to the survey and matching process, the Internet site offers a calendar of events that address the Y2K issue for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

Source: Business Wire

DATE: 7/07/99

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