Background
August 2005 - US Congress passes EPA changes; which extends DST
Daylight Savings Time (DST) is scheduled to begin March 11, 2007 (rather than April 1) and extend to November 4 (rather than October 28). There are obvious implications for information technology across the public and private sectors. Any system that relies on a time/date stamp for processing will be in error without some automated or manual adjustment. Many systems automatically make such adjustments. Patches and fixes are also available for most systems and can be found online.
IT professionals across Canada are taking action. Data Center staff are making necessary the adjustments to their infrastructure. Still, there are actions that each business system owner needs to take to ensure that an inventory of all critical business systems is conducted and necessary adjustments are made prior to the DST change.
Microsoft Helps You Prepare
Simple Questionaire Leads You To Right Patch
Microsoft has created a simple questionaire to help all users get the right patch, for all their software.
Here is the link to that page:
Sun's Java Runtime Environment
JRE patches
The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) stores rules about DST observance all around the globe. Applications may report the wrong time after March 11, 2007.
Sun has posted fixes for both their OS, and JAVA.
So far it has required an upgrade to the JAVA runtime environment:
Other Helpful Site
This site offers a collection of links to vendor web pages where DST updates are discussed and patches are offered.
Other Considerations
So Your Computer Is Okay, How About YourLlights?
Consider that other business systems may also be affected, including (but not limitted to!)
- automated security systems
- surveillance
- HVAC
- other facility-related systems (lights?)
- mobile devices (PDA; Cell Phones)
Carefully go through all your systems and acertain that each in system in question will not be affected by the new DST changes imposed. If you feel it may be affected, contact the vendor or manufacturer of the system to have it certified as compliant.
A little time spent today, may save you time and money tomorrow!
