NLV to upgrade computer systems

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 10:09 a.m.

North Las Vegas will receive $452,973 worth of computer upgrades, including new software and laptop computers to improve the permit, business license and code enforcement systems.

The City Council Wednesday approved the purchase from Hansen Information Technologies.

The computer equipment and software will replace the city's old permit, planning, code enforcement and business license software that is not Year 2000 compliant.

City officials say the new system will also provide better customer service, allowing the public to view and make inspection requests, record complaints and check planning status and permit approvals via a website.

Older computers and software are susceptible to the Y2K bug, which is a programming glitch in software.

When computer memory was at a premium, programmers shortened the year from four digits to two. Currently, computers read the year 1999 as 99. The fear is that when 2000 rolls around, computers will interpret the '00' as 1900 and malfunction.