Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created. Based on the type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, it is determined what data is necessary to generate the permanent virtual connection. Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter the data determined to be necessary. When the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, information is requested from the user as to whether a point-to-point connection or a point-to-multipoint connection is desired, as to whether a virtual path connection or a virtual channel connection is desired, as to a desired quality of service, as to how billing data is to be collected, and as to a type of traffic to be handled by the permanent virtual connection. The data is assembled in a form recognizable by a telecommunications switch. The data is partially assembled in a form recognizable by a telecommunications switch and displayed as the user is requested to enter data. The form recognizable by a telecommunications switch has positional parameters recognized by the telecommunications switch based on position and key word parameters recognizable by the telecommunications switch based on an arrangement of characters. Both the positional parameters and the key word parameters are ordered in a predetermined order.