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tant. Every company should have an individual in charge of ensuring year 2000 system compliance. Since many dealers and distributors do not have data processing staff or MIS managers, this task may fall to the company controller or system administrator.

Once you have evaluated which programs to change or replace, decide whether to re-write your existing software or replace the non-2000-compliant software application with a new software package.

that involves a date past December 3t, 1999.

There is also a popular misconception that computer problems won't begin until midnight on December 31, 1999. In fact, manv computer systems that utilize long-term planning horizons may start providing incorrect dates as much as a year or more before the year 2000 rolls around.

Experts recommend that year 200O-compatible systems be in place by early 1999 at the very latesr.

The first step is to begin examining how much the problem will affect your own system and business. Assess all the software you are using-not just your main application soflware, but also your operating system software, the software on your sales reps' laptops, office applications like word processing and spreadsheets, everything.

Determine which programs have compliance problems, prioritize them, decide what action to take, and go to work fixing the problem. "Working closely with your software provider is extremely important at this stage," says Chip Wilby, v.p. of finance, Cleary Millwork Co. "Expert software consultation in this area is a must. Every application must be inspected, corrected, and tested."

It is critical that upper management be involved and leading the charge to prepare for these changes. The Year 2000 Problem cannot be brushed aside, and it cannot wai(.

Project management is very impor-

Re-writing your software is a very complex task. Whether you are using in-house programming staff or contracting with an outside programming firm, it will be a very time-intensive and expensive proposition. Recently, an outside programming firm analyzed a millwork distributor's existing software and quoted $75,000 to make it year 2000 compliant, based on the amount of programming work needed. The distributor decided to convert to new software.

Testing is the most extensive and tlme-consuming step-and one for which most companies usually set aside insufficient time. If you are rewriting your software, you should be in the testing phase no later than mid1998. Plan on extra disk space or even a new processor to handle the testing process.

Story at a Glance Turn of the century could cause systemwide computer failures don't wait till 1999 to ensure you're 2000 ready.

The other alternative is to add a software package that fits your business needs and is also year 2000 compliant. The evaluation process should include making sure that the software company has been thorough in their own testing procedures to ensure all the new date fields, databases and reports will handle the new century change. This may also provide your best opportunity to totally upgrade to newer, better technology, and software that more closely meets your business requirements.

Whichever route you choose, you cannot afford to wait any longer to begin tackling the year 2000 issue. To delay may be perilous for your business.

hURING the last decade, much LrTdiscussion has taken place in the material handling industry regarding the economic and environmental value of electric vs. gas-powered forklift trucks. When placed in the correct application and used properly, both gas and electric forklifts can be economical.

When debated from an initial investment outlay, electric forklifts outweigh the cost of gas by a considerable margin because batteries and chargers must accompany the electric purchase. Because of this higher upfront cost, many would-be buyers do not weigh the benefits of electric forklifts and opt for gas.

The best way to decide whether to buy gas or electric is to review your operational needs with your dealer:

Do you operate multiple shifts?

Do you have proper ventilation?

How much cash do you have to make an initial equipment investment?

Have you considered the maintenance costs and overall life of the equipment?

Answers to these questions can affect your choice rather quickly one way or the other.

New technology in batteries, chargers and controls have enhanced the durability and reliability of electric forklifts. With electric equipment there is no need for under/above ground fuel storage tanks. Nor is there need for concern about odors or hazardous emissions for workers to breathe. Also, electric forklifts are considerably quieter to operate.

Extensive operating cost data on electric truck fleets have been collected over the years by forklift dealers and customers. Based on a study of

Story at a Glance

While gas-powered forklifts cost less, electric trucks maY be more affordable in the long term.

By Edward Cunha Sales Manager Crellin Handling Equipment

these figures, cost data tables and worksheet forms are available from dealers to help business owners calculate potential savings with using electric industrial trucks.

Below is an excerpt from an "Average Base Price Equipment/ Maintenance Costs" tabie.

Overall, electric provides longer life with less maintenance. Considering that gas trucks cost more to operate and maintain, they soon surPass the total cost of owning and operating an electric forklift truck over its useful life.