Unix-based expert system distribution agreement

products Software development tool for Intel 80286]80386 based PCs An expert system building tool for developing and delivering knowledge-based expert systems on Intel 80286 and 80386 based personal computers has been launched. GoldWorks, from Artificial Intelligence, is an applications development tool designed for software professionals who are responsible for bringing artificial intelligence into their companies. As a delivery tool, GoldWorks will immediately appeal to those who have built expert systems on specialized AI workstations and need to distribute them to a large base of endusers who will typically have access to PCs on their desks. GoldWorks is a hybrid toolkit, combining a knowledge base; an inference engine that can reach conclusions using forward, backward and goal-directed forward chaining;

a multi-level, open architecture that provides developers with two programming and debugging environments based on their level of experience; external interfaces to Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE and C; a screen toolkit for the quick design of enduser application screens; and two online tutorials and an on-line help system. At the outermost level of the system is the menu interface. It is a high-level interface that offers an easy-to-use menu and windoworiented expert system shell that permits the developer to rapidly build applications without knowing the underlying programming environment. The next level is the developer's interface. This interface functions as a toolkit, allowing developers to access the underlying programming environment and tools

Data processing estimating system An expert system designed to produce accurate data processing project estimates has been launched by BIS Applied Systems. Traditional methods of estimation are often wildly inaccurate and result in costly delays. BIS/Estimator provides a consistent estimate before the project begins and at each stage through the project's implementation. Using 5th generation knowledgebased techniques, and working on any IBM or IBM compatible with 512K memory and MS-DOS, BIS/ Estimator explains in detail the justification for the estimates produced. Information is entered at each stage with the aid of detailed help facilities. This information is then processed to estimate the amount of time each stage should take. Where precise information is not available, BIS/Estimator will produce a range of estimates depending on the approximate values initially entered. Vol 1 No 1 December 1987

All phases of project development are accommodated by BIS/ Estimator, including feasibility, analysis, design, programming,

to extend and customize the system for specific applications. The lowest level, Golden Common Lisp (GCLISP), is for AI programmers who want to utilize the full power and flexibility of this language. To facilitate the entry into expert system development, GoldWorks provides two tutorials. The on-line expert system tutorial, available in the menu level interface, provides a step-by-step introduction to expert system development. The tutorial covers basic knowledge representation, inferencing strategies, and knowledge engineering approaches. This tutorial also provides example applications on how to design and build expert systems using GoldWorks. GoldWorks also includes the San Marco Lisp explorer, an interactive tutorial that teaches and demonstrates Lisp concepts and AI programming strategies. (Artificial Intelligence Ltd., Intelligence House, Merton Road, Watford, Herts WD1 7BY, UK. Tel: (0923) 47707, Telex: 933883) [] testing and implementation. It can also handle the use of prototyping methods and 4GLs used during the analysis, design and programming stages. (BIS Applied Systems Ltd., 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PN, UK. Tel."01-633 0866) []

Unix-based expert system distribution agreement A distribution agreement has been reached for an expert system developed by the Fluid Engineering Centre (BHRA). 'Acumen' has been developed specifically for the Unixbased corporate market, and will be distributed by Kernel Technology. Acumen is written in a portable Prolog environment and supports many rules including powerful tradeoff and table rules not available in other packages. The package comprises an expert system shell, Prolog interpreter and the necessary user interface to enable knowledge bases

to be built and interrogated. The size of the knowledge base is limited only by the capacity of the host machine. Designed to provide expert information on selection, specification and diagnosis of equipment and plant, the Acumen system shell has wide-ranging applications throughout industry. Unlike many other expert systems, Acumen is not restricted to single user PCs and will be of particular value where a powerful multiuser expert system is required. (Kernel Technology Ltd., 21 Queens Street, Leeds LS1 2TW, UK. Tel." (0532) 465311) [] 57