A software interface used in designing communications circuits receives input
from
a user (20). In response, the software interface initiates accessing of
a route plan (16) comprising a first route point group (38) associated
with a first circuit end point (34), a second route point group (38)
associated with a second circuit end point (34), and one or more routes
(32) connecting the first and second route point groups (38). Each
route (32) is available for use in designing the circuit. The software interface
also initiates selection of a route (32) according to the route plan (16)
and initiates the automatic assignment of the selected route (32) to the
circuit in designing the circuit. The software interface provides information to
the user (20) reflecting assignment of the route (32) to the circuit.
The route plan (16) may be selected from among multiple route plans (16)
according to a service application (14) automatically derived from an associated
circuit order. The software interface may initiate assignment of equipment to the
circuit at one or more points along the selected route (32) according to
an equipment assignment template (18) specifying characteristics of the
equipment. The template (18) may be selected from among multiple templates
(18) according to a service application (14).
