Others will overload their installers, and add new, inexperienced installers. Being on the receiving end of either of these options will be an unpleasant experience, but the companies that wait until 1999 will have no choice. This phenomenon isn't limited to the construction industry, that's only an example. Any business software which requires significant training and installation will be effected. And the rush may start well before 1999.
Management can easily avoid the crisis by acting now.
Don't confuse user support with software support. Find the organization that fixes and enhances the software. Get specific information on what will be required to reach year 2000 functionality. A software vendor may have a simple path for users of their current release, but no path for users that are out of date. Identify the resources required for conversion.