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Are You Ready for the Change in the Time Change?

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Question: 
What is different about Daylight Saving Time this year and how will it affect my bank's systems?
Answer: 

Daylight Saving Time 2007 might be best called "Y2K + 7."

In case you haven't heard, you'll be springing forward earlier this year, and falling back later. Daylight Saving time will come early starting this year thanks to the August 2005 passage of the Energy Policy Act by Congress.

At 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March (March 11), all clocks should be moved forward one hour. This is three weeks earlier than normal.

Daylight saving time will also end one week later starting this year (2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November).

What makes this a big deal? In short, your computers may be unprepared.

Will your systems automatically change at 2:00 a.m. on March 11, or will they require a manual change? Can your system be changed earlier at all? Will it try to move its clock forward again in April? - All good questions that must be answered prior to the change. Good thing we had so much practice with such matters during Y2K. Brings back memories, doesn't it?

Don't head for the hills and start stockpiling supplies just yet.

For Microsoft products (and you are certain to have a lot of them), we've included a link to the Microsoft guidance on this topic:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

Keep in mind that Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Windows NT4 are no longer supported and will require special attention or upgrades. You might have to use the Microsoft Time Zone editor tool.

Check out the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy at:

http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?RDPATH=dm;en-us;lifecycle

For non-Microsoft products, check with your providers as part of your preparedness planning. We suggest you start with your core processing system then move to ATMs, security systems, and on down the line until all systems are verified. Web-based applications should be checked also.

Document your efforts, verify your systems' readiness, implement appropriate remedies, and this (mini-Y2K issue) too shall pass.

First published on BankersOnline.com 2/05/07

First published on 02/05/2007

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