Test run
millennium
Monday, 3 January 2000,11:00: Back
office systems and S.W.I.F.T. interfaces
suddenly fail in the middle of the full
authorization and payment processes.
Payment files and back office databases
are inaccessible. IT announces that this
interruption will take two days to fix.
What do you do?
20 What's NewS Issue 10' December 1999
This theoretical situation was just one
case used to find out just how millen
nium proof our R1 communication and
reporting channels are. November 26 was
the big day with offices around the net-
work simulating 'crisis resolution' in or
der to determine the strength of our cur-
rent procedures: cases included such
topics as failure of internal communica
tion tools, reporting procedures, and ex-
ternal problems coming from key cus-
tomers and foreign exchange partners.
Says Harrie Paulissen of the global mil
lennium team, 'I think everyone involved
in the test day found it very useful as it
revealed some weaknesses in the current
global transitional period plan. We expe-
rienced some unexpected events so the
test was also highly successful in raising
awareness on communication and report-
ing. We've come away with concrete ac-
tions for improvement in those areas,
taken from best practice solutions of the
participants.' The 'unexpected events'
have led to specific action to update con
tact telephone numbers, improve the re
porting overview, and provide more de-
tailed work instructions and procedures.
An earlier test weekend had been held by
the Netherlands branch on 6-7 Novem
ber. It proved equally useful. A complete
contingency plan with emergency fall-
back procedures in the case of system or
power failure had been put in place.
The team in Utrecht wanted to find out
what would happen to operational
systems such as payments, cash manage
ment, and foreign exchange in a worst
case scenario. The stringent testing
showed that whatever happens on the
night, RI in Utrecht will still be able to
continue processes and provide its
customers with vital information through
alternative channels.