DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 42-98
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Director Unemployment Insurance Service
SUBJECT	:	Implementation of an Upgraded Interstate Connection (ICON) Network

1. Purpose. To advise State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of plans to upgrade the Interstate Connection (ICON) network and to transmit unemployment insurance (UI) reports data via ICON.

2. Background. In May of 1998 UIS began operating under a new cooperative agreement with the State of Utah which has contracted with Lockheed Martin Integrated Business Solutions (LMIBS) to continue providing SESAs with telecommunication network services for UI-related purposes. Included in this new ICON agreement, in addition to activities associated with the interstate benefits and combined wage claim programs under the current ICON system, are the transmission of data for the UI Reports system, currently being transmitted and processed via the Sun SPARC System. Other applications involving the transmission of State UI-related data may be included under the new ICON system in the future.

   Under this new agreement the existing ICON network will be upgraded to a frame relay network. Implementation of this technology will result in immediate and long term benefits to its users. Benefits include standardization of access methods for all sites and communications support requirements while accommodating reliable and secure data transmissions. Frame relay technology also responds to any future growth needs by being scalable i.e. easily adjusted for increased requirements and/or increased traffic demands. Frame relay technology can also support direct site-to-site data transmissions and WEB interfaces.

3. Implementation Plan. LMIBS is contracting with AT&T for frame relay service. This agreement includes a complete package of data transmission service, circuit installation and maintenance, router installation (a router is required to participate in a frame relay network) and network management and maintenance Nationwide implementation of the frame relay network will take about 6 months to complete. LMIBS and AT&T technicians will visit each network site beginning in August, 1998, to conduct a survey to determine individual site connect requirements. The actual visit will be preceded by telephone call(s) to the site's technical contact confirming the agenda for that site and the visit date and time. It is anticipated that the actual on-site visit will require no more than two to four hours.

   Following the initial telephone contact, a profile sheet will be faxed to that site representative requesting configuration of their processing platform, current transmission protocol, physical location where the router is to be installed, and any comments or questions.

   During the on-site visit, emphasis will be placed on viewing the physical space where the router is to be located and reviewing with the site representatives their assessment of any additional wiring that may be needed. This review process should ensure actual circuit and router installation and testing to be experienced is routine. Once the survey is completed and SESA needs are determined, LMIBS will develop a schedule with the SESAs to begin implementation and testing.

4. Costs. There is no cost to SESAs associated with this implementation. CISC 2524 Routers will be provided, installed, and maintained as leased equipment under the LMIBS Frame Relay Service Contract with AT&T. Any cost that SESAs might incur would be related to housing of the router. Any such cost would be identified during the on-site visit but is expected to be nonexistent or minimal for all SESAs.

   Current plans are to migrate the SESAs operating dial-up systems first, SESAs using VSAT transmissions second, and those with leased lines last. Migrating SESAs currently using dial-up access will enable their participation in the Interstate Benefits Inquiry (IBIQ) and Withdrawn/ Invalid Claim (WIC) systems. SESAs using the VSAT technology will be targeted for early migration to reduce costs under the existing Utah/LMIBS contract.

5. Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to:

   1. Provide this information to appropriate staff.

   2. Identify a contact within the SESA and provide the name and telephone number to Martha Hazelrigg at LMIBS on 407-306-7228.

6. Inquiries. Direct inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.