Agencies may have trouble making that distinction. Some still maintain separate staffs to manage data and voice communications, making it difficult to see the big picture. Even where data and voice are managed by the same organization, few managers have much experience in weighing competing sales pitches, because of the lack of choice in previous FTS programs. GSA has selected eight technical services companies to help with transition activities. Through this year, agencies will be focusing on year 2000 readiness, and some will defer changes in their telecommunications services until they are confident of a smooth systems changeover to the new century.
Agencies also have internal scheduling considerations.
For example, the Internal Revenue Service has an annual business cycle that builds up to the peak tax filing season from about Jan. 15 to April 15. The agency avoids making major changes in its systems during the peak months. When scheduling switchovers, GSA is promising to give priority to the most complex FTS transitions and the most time-sensitive, such as the IRS situation. The timing of transitions may have an impact on budgets. Agencies' FTS 2000 rates are determined partly by the volume of calls.