Brussels, 31/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is hoping that the second generation information system (SIS II) will be up and running by 31 August 2013, more than a year and a half later than the most recent projected date, a European source revealed on Monday 31 May. This estimate takes account of the new technical specifications required if the project is to see the light of day. SIS II costs, estimated for the moment at some €55 million, are likely to require a further envelope of €28 million, with the precise sum being decided during negotiations with the contractor, HP-Steria. The Commission will present the provisional timetable and additional budget to home affairs ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday 3 June. SIS II final dates and costs will be confirmed by October at the latest. The system's second test, “Milestone 2”, will not now take place until spring 2012. This test will be full-size: all 25 Schengen area countries will take part, with 100 million pieces of information. Were SIS II to fail, there is a back-up plan (“SIS 1 + RE”), which will have to be extended (see EUROPE 10141 and 10138). (B.C./transl.rt)