It all comes down to how lazy the agency/Municipality etc is. If they are typical lazy, they do not want the expense of hassle of actually having a radio shop of their own. So they contract out to a local Motorola/or whatever shop to program/maintain the radios. In my book a WTF move since your STILL paying for the radios to get programmed etc, and for an person to do this! REAL lazy, get Motorola, or whoever, to to that all for them.. Again an WTF move. Your now out of the loop in the chain of control, and paying even more than what the local contract shop charges usually. Kinda lazy: You let the next level on the food chain do it, AKA the County, State etc.... The SMART way: Freaking hire at least ONE GUY... Set him up with a couple of computers, the RIB etc... And buy the CPS. Program them in house to your OWN specs etc... But for various reasons, far too many agencies, Municipalities, etc... Skimp out on this and end up paying far too much to get stuff done.