Millennium bug expert Robin Guenier came to Raven's Ait last week to deliver a stark warning to businesses in Kingston.

He told them the problem is so potentially damaging that the top person in each company must take charge of the battle to minimise the bug's impact.

To the non-IT specialist the problem, which centres on computers being unable to recognise the year 2000, may seem much ado about very little. But experts predict it will wreak chaos and the global bill will run into trillions of dollars.

Mr Guenier warned there were no easy solutions.

Advancing your computer's clock to the year 2000 will only show whether the clock will continue to function and doing it may have serious knock-on effects.

The real problem may be lurking not in the computer, which may be 2000 compliant, but somewhere in the computer network.

To make matters worse, even if your own company has done a thorough audit and come up squeaky clean, if your suppliers have not been equally diligent the consequences for your company could be disastrous.

Managers hoping to put off tackling the problem until next year are in for a shock.

Mr Guenier estimates that for some companies the bug may start to bite within nine months.

As the deadline approaches and people start to panic, the cost of replacement equipment will soar and experts will be almost unobtainable.

Companies in Kingston are already getting letters from business partners demanding to know what steps they have taken to ensure compliance according to Catherine Swainson of Kingston Chamber of Commerce which, along with AZTEC, organised last week's event.

Mrs Swainson said: "There is a merciless deadline which can't be fudged and some businesses appear to be burying their heads in the sand."

Ian Parkes, AZTEC chief executive, said: "This will affect every business and organisation in south west London.

"Although a survey has shown that 94 per cent of small businesses are aware of the issue only 14 per cent are doing something about it. They must act now."

A millenium bug pack is available from AZTEC on 0181 547 3884.

It is also planning to help organisations to assess their own situation and put them in touch with experts.

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