Embedded systems contain one or more internal microprocessors, often contain a clock, and usually have a battery if there is a clock. Though embedded systems may have many of the characteristics of computers, they do not look like computers and may be buried deep within research equipment.

A major difficulty in assessing the Y2K compliance of research equipment is determining whether or not the equipment contains an embedded system. Once that is accomplished, an appropriate course of action must be determined for each of the embedded systems that are non-compliant. Below you will find a step-by-step procedure to assure the Y2K compliance of research equipment in laboratories and departments.

It is anticipated that only a small fraction of the research equipment surveyed will be non-compliant. Murphy's Law, however, means that this small fraction may include equipment crucial to the operation of a laboratory. If not identified and fixed, it could cause much lost time, lost data, lost money, and lost sleep!

Who is Responsible?

Principal Investigators - faculty members who have active research projects - should make sure that the equipment used in their laboratories is Y2K compliant.

Research Group leaders (Principal Investigators/Project Directors for large projects involving many faculty members) are responsible for seeing that the Y2K assessment work for research equipment is done for all research equipment in the entire project. An individual member of the research group might be assigned to act as project leader for the survey; but it is up to the Principal Investigator/Project Director to confirm that the Y2K assessment work has been done.

• Note: Some federal funding agencies are currently asking Principal Investigators and Project Directors to certify that their research equipment is Y2K compliant.

Finding and Fixing Y2K Problems in Research Equipment

The Cost - Who Pays?

ORUs are responsible for remediating their Y2K non-compliant research equipment. The cost of remediation is expected to be covered using ORU-administered funds. Where this is inadequate, normal financial and budgetary procedures should be followed.

Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for remediating Y2K non-compliant research equipment used for their contracts and grants, with the costs to be covered from those funds. Some federal funding agencies now require that PIs certify the Y2K compliance of equipment used for their funded project.

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