John,
There is nothing consistent about what FMG does in this scenario. As I've observed this interesting transition - I believe it is related to the fact that FMG is used to operating independently. They are a group that does everything or nothing. They own a project start-to-finish, or they tell the Stake if they want it done they'll have to do it. They are very My budget or your budget. I would think of it that way. When it comes to something like Meetinghouse Internet where the FMG is responsible for the install of the ISP and the physical install of the Firewall and WAP, and the STS is responsible for the Network, they are unable to draw a conclusion of what that means. In my observation (I work with 2 FMG in my stake) the network stuff is 'new' and 'cool' and they want to do the work that I see as clearly being the STS role. They also work with varying levels of STS competence with most STS being called because they can 'repair computers' In my case I've built-out data center footprints in multiple countries - a network consisting of 9 locations is child's play to me. Your HC-Facilities is also vital to this relationship. In my own subtle way, I was alienating the HC-Facilities as well in a similar 'oversight' manner. As an example of STS Competence, I recently found out a stake serviced by my FMG implemented Meetinghouse Internet without any firewalls. Since that happened, they were the first stake prioritized to get the new 881W/1041N - This is rewarding bad behavior in my opinion - They used up all the budget I was told, a budget item I had asked to be included for 2012 for OUR stake, I don't understand how funding for a stake can be taken and used in another stake but that is my own personal demon to work out.
Their instructions, as I've seen them in online training, and some internal FMG documents, are that they can allow the STS to do as much of the work as possible, including laying cable, but there are some strict requirements on laying the cable, and they have instructions that they hire someone that can meet those strict instructions or do it themselves. Their budgets, most of the time, do not allow for hiring a contractor, and they don't have the time themselves to run the cabling, and that leads them to tell the stakes that their policy is to only provide wireless to a portion of the building, and that the firewall is sufficient to provide that wireless.
You must have a similar relationship that I have with FMG. They feel that I am providing 'oversight' of their work in an undue manner, and they feel like I'm picking apart every little thing. My Stake President doesn't understand it as he's reviewed all the same material I have and believes I'm acting in the way the STS should. We've put together a Stake Plan for technology usage, including a building-by-building plan, I've had that plan in place for several years, and have not been approached by the FMG about that plan even though we've had several meetings with them to get on the same page, I'm still unable to work with them in any meaningful way.
One other observation, the way Meetinghouse Internet has rolled out has also been a problem. They were given instructions that were soft in 2011 and 2012, meaning, if you can work it into your plans, pretty please, with sugar on top, could you get the new networking installed in the meetinghouses.... for 2013 it has been MANDATED. Many FMG that waited until the mandate are now stuck trying to do something that should've been done over a couple of years into a single year, and they are looking for ways to 'cut-corners' - like telling my stake that putting in Ethernet into the meetinghouses is not part of what they are supposed to do, and only providing wireless.
What really kills me is that the best Low-voltage contractor in our area is owned by a member of a stake presidency in our area. His company does all the cabling for the data center I work in and is top-notch. Many of the installers are members of the church, several former installers are in my stake. I think we could coordinate and knock this thing out, I've suggested that to both FMG over the last couple of years and nothing....
My personal disclaimer, this is my experience, and my experience alone, the opinions expressed do not represent the opinions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my Stake Presidency, my wife, or my daughters, your mileage my vary.
I've attached a basic diagram that was our initial conversation with FMG back in the fall of 2009 - If you look at this diagram, you can see that it is the same as what FMG was given as instructions for rolling out Meetinghouse Internet (In fact the Church expanded this, really with Ethernet to the RS/Chapel, etc...). We've had a consistent message/desire from the point I became the Stake Clerk in late 2009.
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.”
― Thomas Paine, Common Sense