RESULTS

Market share firm Context presents the results of the questionnaire on the year 2000 issue.

What do you feel is the most difficult problem regarding year 2000e on the year 2000 issue. issues?

More than 30 per cent of the Context/PC Dealer Panel participants felt that changes in software are the most difficult problems they face regarding the year 2000. Only 12 per cent and 11 per cent of resellers believed that hardware changes and customer needs, respectively, would pose a problem. Cashflow and stock control were not seen as too much of a threat.

Have you allocated a budget for the year 2000?

Budget allocation is slow, with 70 per cent of respondents giving the impression that the year 2000 will not bring any financial problems.

Of those who have a budget, just over half have applied less than one per cent of revenue. More than a third have allocated between one and five per cent, and the remainder between five and 10 per cent of revenue.

Have you planned to carry out an internal audit to solve issues linked to the year 2000?

More than three quarters of the Context/PC Dealer Panel plan to carry out an internal audit to solve problems which may arise regarding the year 2000. Only 15 per cent are choosing not to take action.

Are you planning to hire external consultants to help deal with year 2000 issues?

Supporting the findings in questions two and three, 93 per cent of the Context/PC Dealer Panel do not intend to hire external consultants to deal with any year 2000 issues. These results indicate that resellers intend to deal with problems internally and to spend a minimum amount.

Have you been asked to conduct an audit dealing with year 2000 issues?

Supporting the findings in question one, almost 80 per cent of clients have requested an audit dealing with the year 2000 issues, thus illustrating reseller perceptions on customer/media hype. On the other hand, more than 40 per cent of suppliers have not requested an audit.

How will you implement the necessary changes to your existing hardware/software?

Respondents will implement the necessary changes by acquiring and upgrading hardware. In terms of software, simply upgrading software will be sufficient to meet their requirements. The questionnaire reveals a reluctance on the part of the respondents to make large financial and infrastructual commitments in dealing with the millennium transition.

Nevertheless, the respondents feel compelled by media hype to take a series of precautionary measures.