MILLENNIUM BUG TEST KIT COULD SAVE BUSINESS MILLIONS

A breakthrough invention - a test kit called the Delta-T Probe, designed to diagnose the millennium-date dependency of embedded systems - has today been announced by leading UK consulting engineers WSP Group plc, which is managing and promoting the device. The development of the Delta-T Probe is integrally linked to WSP's audit and compliance consultancy products. It was invented by Patrick Bossert who, when a child, published a book on how to solve the Rubik's cube. Manufacturing of the probe, which is due to start in July, is being undertaken by Embedded Science.

Embedded systems - the background

Embedded systems are the small, single function computers built into all manner of equipment whose role is taken for granted. Last year over 7,000 million embedded systems were manufactured, compared to 200 million desktop computers, some of which are affected by the millennium bug problem. These have ended up in the 'engine-rooms' of almost all businesses, controlling the infrastructure upon which they depend. For example, fire and security alarm systems as well as plant machinery all depend on embedded systems. The bug will affect some of these, in many cases completely disabling the business. Detecting the millennium bug in embedded systems is far more difficult than testing desktop computers, as the code they run is literally embedded in one or more of the chips and is very difficult to get at.

The Delta-T Probe

The Delta-T Probe is designed to test systems where manufacturers cannot be traced or are failing to provide adequate compliance information. It provides a rapid electronic means of determining whether a millennium date problem exists in an embedded system and, if so, where it lies. By speeding up the process, it will help businesses assess more quickly the scale of the risk to which they are exposed, and enable them to take the necessary steps to put the faulty systems right. (see over for details)

Malcolm Paul, WSP Group Financial Director, said:

"Most attention about the millennium bug has focused on desktop and enterprise computers - but it is embedded systems where the really serious problems lie. WSP provides consultancy services worldwide, and this issue is central to our everyday work. We have developed a range of products to help clients ensure their businesses will not be affected".

According to WSP Business Technology Director Paul Scott, the potential savings to business in time and money could be enormous. He said:

"Unless put right, businesses could lose millions, especially in those sectors where embedded systems are widespread - communications, banking and finance, pharmaceutical, transport and building. The UK is ahead of many countries in realising this, with £25 billion currently being spent by British industries on tackling the problem. The Delta-T Probe is only one element in WSP's services. To tackle the problem effectively businesses need a compliance programme and consultants to help put it right"

The Delta-T Probe - The invention and how it works

The Delta-T Probe is the invention of fellow WSP information technology specialist Patrick Bossert, who attracted publicity at the age of 12 for publishing a best-selling book explaining how to solve the Rubik's Cube. Although the Probe represents a breakthrough in embedded systems testing, he claims the principle itself is a simple one. He said:

"It is rather like an electronic X-ray. While the embedded system is running, we attach a second computer on top of it, piggy-back style. This monitors the software code which is continually being fetched by the embedded system's processor from the ROM which stores the program. The clever bit is that at the same time it is monitoring the connection between the processor and the source of the clock data.

"When it sees the clock connection become active, it knows that the embedded system is performing a time-dependent instruction. The probe records the activity of the software, and then carefully analyses the part of the captured code that has to do with date and time. Once it has discarded all those thousands of lines that don't, what we are left with tells us whether or not the embedded system needs to be reprogrammed. The whole process takes not much more than half-an-hour. It would previously have taken weeks to examine the code without such a tool."

Manufacture and availability

The Delta-T Probe is being manufactured by Embedded Science, which is managed by WSP and part-owned by Central Data Control (CDC), a specialist embedded systems integration business. Production of the probe is due to start in July with delivery of the first batch in September.

The Delta-T Probe will be available by September for those orders secured in the next few weeks from now. Supplies of the probe will initially be limited by the first production run of 500 units, so companies are invited to reserve units in order multiples of 10. The extent of further production will be driven by the level of global demand. The current UK manufacturer is capable of delivering 250 units per week at maximum production capacity.

NOTES TO EDITORS

WSP Group plc is one of the UK's leading providers of construction and property engineering and management consultancy services. Expertise ranges from structural and building services in the design of retail centres, offices, factories or hospitals to the civil engineering of roads, bridges and railways. WSP operates through a network of 40 offices in the UK and overseas.

WSP already offers a number of services on the year 2000 issues including programme management, auditing and testing. Clients include Commercial Union, AMP Asset Management, British Airways and British Land.