Network monitoring and testing. Part of what differentiates a seat management contract from just leasing or support services contracts is the need to buy the complete menu of services, vendors said. It is a pre-packaged group of services that covers all technology related to desktop computing, Unisys' Weipert said. The level of service will vary from agency to agency, as will some of the contract's features, such as the inclusion of more expensive network management services. If federal agencies are under the impression that outsourcing desktop and network services will bring immediate cost benefits, they are in for a rude awakening, according to analysts.
Costs vary greatly.
However, once the per-seat price is fixed, the agency will have a clear picture of its annual costs and will be able to plan for IT expenses. This is helpful, for example, if future downsizing efforts cut into the IT budget. We need to tailor our services to the needs of each user, which may make costs appear initially more expensive. At JPL, for example, there are nine communities of users. OAO closely examined each group's needs and averaged out a cost per seat for the entire organization, Blanchard said.