NBFAA Offers Members Tips
for Early Daylight-Saving Time

Nearly two years ago the U.S. Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which changes the start and end dates for Daylight-Saving Time (DST) in the United States. Those states that participate in DST must follow the new dates.

As a result, DST will start on March 11, 2007 at 2 a.m. (three weeks earlier than normal) and end November 4, 2007 at 2 a.m. (one week later than previously).

There are a number of potential issues with this change that you should be aware of, including:

• Applying updates to your computer. It is possible that the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four week period. In particular, you must make sure that both your Windows operating system and your calendar programs are updated.
• Business applications that record transactions could be affected. Billing programs that calculate elapsed time may be at risk. You should check all your software and hardware systems that rely on time stamps. If necessary, patch with software updates or modify to work properly.
• Try to understand all of the potential impacts to your business, including the computers, billing systems, software and any issues that may impact your customers. Then plan and execute processes to address the issue.
• Don’t forget the little things: Employees should check appliances, such as coffee makers, microwave ovens, DVDs, and videocassette recorders that have clocks. These items may have to be reset manually.
• Last, but not least, don’t forget to check with manufacturers for instructions on updating the time stamp on equipment your customers are using. Some manufacturers have sent notices to their customers directing them to their Web sites for instructions.

Listed below are links to articles and sites which may be useful, including the Microsoft site that contains specific information on this issue:

• http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst

Articles of interest:

• http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128719/article.html
• http://www.infoworld.nl/idgns/bericht.phtml?id=002570DE00740E180025728500070058
• http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=2085

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