NCJ Number
70153
Date Published
1980
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This General Accounting Office (GAO) report contains recommendations to establish a policy, organizational arrangements, and regulations to ensure the use of multiplex technology by government agencies.
Abstract
The cost of data communications resources of Federal civil agencies ranges from $100 to $200 million annually, with an annual growth rate of 10 to 25 percent. The Department of Defense and several civil agencies have significantly reduced costs by creating multiplexing and thus replacing redundant individual circuits. (Multiplexing is a technique in which electronic devices at each end of a single circuit simultaneously transmit a number of messages and long-distance circuits between terminal points.) GAO demonstrated potential cost savings of multiplexing by creating theoretical multiplex systems in place of existing individual circuits between Washington, D.C., and five metropolitan areas. The reduction in annual costs revealed by the GAO analysis supports the economic benefits of multiplexing data communications requirements. For further cost savings, GAO suggest that a Government-wide policy be established requiring use of multiplexing, where feasible, and that a central management entity be established with the authority and resources to develop and manage multiplex systems for the entire Government. Agency comments and tabular data are included along with appended illustrations and correspondence.