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All of the companies who
responded to the Y2K compliance question responded that there will be no problemo. That's
good news especially for those with HVAC controls implemented ... it could be chilly on
Jan 1/2000. Thanks to the company reps who took the time to help us out and thanks to Guy Lavoie for bringing up the subject. |
I got this message from Guy Lavoie a while back:
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Hi Bob.
Do you have any information as to the Y2K readiness of X-10s ( and other automation companies ) products? It is important since timed macros are based on day-of-the-week events. Try to find out from your contacts here and please let me ( and others ) know !
So ... I asked the following companies to resond:
Echelon ; Crestron ; Vidan ; SmartLinc ; Smart Corp; Savoy ; Phast ; Marrick ; Smart Electronics ; JDS ; IBM ; HSPlus ; HomeVision ; X10 ; HAI, Home Automated Living
And received the following replies:
Crestron
With the new millenium approaching we are all embarking upon the use of exciting new technologies and an entirely new set of challenges. Foremost in the minds of manufacturers, dealers, consultants and end-users alike is the issue of Y2K (year 2000) compliance. Crestron has issued this letter to reassure you that we recognize our responsibility to provide uninterrupted service before, during and after January 1, 2000. Crestron has reviewed all applications to ensure Y2K compliance. All current hardware and software are in compliance.
The embedded chips in our control systems use a two-digit code for the year, but the chips do not assume a "19" prefix. Years ending in digits greater that 61 are interpreted as "1900 series" and years ending in numbers less that 61 are interpreted as "2000 series". Crestron systems will have no date problems through the year 2060, including leap years.
A test procedure is provided for your use and can be found on our web site at www.crestron.com. Simply click on the Y2K icon, then test procedure.
Thank you for your support of Crestron. We hope this answers your questions about our Y2K compliance. Your forward thinking in reviewing all business applications at this time is appreciated. Additional information about these issues can be found at www.year2000.com or www.y2k.com. For more information about Crestron compliance, please direct inquiries via e-mail to Y2K@crestron.com or contact our Y2K hotline at 800-237-2041 ext. 332. For more information about Crestron and our products in general, please visit www.crestron.com
Custom Solutions
HomeVision is indeed Y2K compliant. Everything will work fine, including scheduled events, timers, leap year calculations, sunset/sunrise calculations, etc. It will run into a problem in the year 2090, which it will think is 1990, but we'll leave that to our great-great-grandchildren to worry about!
Echelon
Echelon's Y2K Team has begun to document the Year 2000 compliance of the company's products, internal systems and suppliers. The company's Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure document is maintained and revised as necessary on Echelon's web site at http://www.echelon.com/year2000/ . Since Echelon's products are typically designed into systems that have long lead times, the Y2K Team will update product data as each product is reviewed, providing information on a timely basis. Echelon reserves the right to change the Y2K designation as appropriate.
Home Automated Living
HAL2000 is Y2K compliant.
Home Automation Inc.
Located at the HAI web site - www.homeauto.com - is the following Y2K information. Look under Bulletins. Thanks. DAVEH
All HAI controllers and accessories are year 2000 compliant. This includes all products manufactured for HAI customers under an original equipment manufacturer agreement. Only automation controllers make use of the calendar year. Thermostats, expansion enclosures, and other controller accessories do not use the calendar year and will not be affected by the year 2000 change. PC Access software obtains the calendar year for display purposes from the PC's clock/calendar. HAI controllers (Model 1503, Omni, OmniPro and OEM versions thereof) display a two-digit calendar year on the system consoles, and make use of this two-digit calendar year in leap year calculations. The two-digit calendar year will properly roll over to "00" at midnight on December 31, 1999. The leap year calculation will correctly identify year 2000 as a leap year and the calendar will advance from Feb. 28, 00 to Feb. 29, 00. HAI controllers can schedule actions to occur at a specific time on a specific date. Only the month and day are used when specifying these schedules. These schedules are not affected by changes in the calendar year.
Home Systems Plus
Our entire Aegis Product line is Y2K compliant.
Phast
The PHAST Landmark software program is Y2K compliant (as are all Microsoft based 32 bit apps) until about the year 2030. The Landmark hardware is also compliant. However, this is slightly different than us making a blanket statement about PHAST's Y2K status. If you have been following this you will have noted that for us to make a "Corporate Statement" re. our Y2K status we will also have to have confirmed/updated all our internal software and hardware (accounting, manufacturing and the like) as well as confirmed all of our vendors. This is a huge undertaking and something we are continuously working on (as a publicly traded company we must always adhere to the letter of the law) we will make a comprehensive AMX/PHAST Y2K statement shortly. In the interim however your readers should know that thier Landmark systems will keep right on working through the millenium.
Savoy
Savoy's software products are Y2K compliant.
Smart Corporation
On the subject of Y2K, Smart Corporation as taken every measure to insure that the Y2K "bug" will not be an issue for our customers. From the very beginning of SMARTOne we have made this requirement of our products.
Smart Electronics
The Smart Housekeeper is 100% Y2K compliant. As long as the Windows year is set to a 4 digit year, The Smart Housekeeper recognizes 1/1/2000 as the true day that it is. It's also been tested to accurately convey leap years in the next century.
SmartLinc
SmartLinc's products all use a full byte for their year variable (256 byte = 256 years) starting with the year 1900. Therefore, SmartLinc products should operate normally and accurately in all respects until the year 2156.
Questions regarding this issue should be e-mailed to SmartLinc at inbox@smartlinc.com
Vidan
The HX-1™ Home Control System does have time/date/day of week schedules and macros, however, we do not use the year in any schedules or macros, therefore, the HX-1 is immune to any Y2K problems.
X-10
This really only applies to two of our products:
CK11A computer interface and MK19A Mouse Remote. Both comply.
If I've missed someone or you have comments please let me know ( bobh@hometoys.com ) and special thanks to Guy for bringing this up.
