The present invention utilizes a software application running on a digital computer (20) to enable a load balancing technician to assign customers services by assigning a specific port on a specific card in a telecommunications switch (10) to a service, while at the same time ensuring that load balancing criteria are met. The software performs a method in which a list is compiled of switches, cards and ports available for providing a service, and a port for providing a desired service is selected (steps S1 S9) based on loading factors, weighting factors for which can be set by the load balancing technician.