In fact, if any application is going to be affected, it's backup, which uses dates to work out what files to copy and when, which versions of a file to restore, what tapes to use and so on. So it's important to check the application you use before it's too late. Specifically, you'll want to make sure the licence will enable the software to work beyond the 31 December 1999, and that four-digit dates are used when it comes to deciding what files to back up and restore, when to rotate tapes and so on. You'll also want to be certain that older backups can still be used and that any two-digit dates are intelligently interpreted and converted when files are recovered. For the most part, full Year 2000 support can be obtained by installing the latest versions of the leading backup programs, with upgrades available for existing customers.
Some manufacturers also provide patches to upgrade earlier releases.
However, they all stress the need for more than Year 2000-compatible backup software for full compliance. Indeed, as most point out, there's little point making sure that your backup program can handle dates correctly if, for example, the operating system you're using doesn't stamp files properly. Bearing such caveats in mind, here's a summary of the positions taken by the leading backup manufacturers. This won't only tell you what's needed to make existing software Year 2000 compliant, but also help those yet to install this vital application to choose a suitable package. All rights reserved.