A messenger model for navigating among bureaucratic requirements

A formal, computational model is proposed for navigating among the bureaucratic requirements relating to social services and electronic commerce. This model is based on a notion of intelligent agents, called messengers, that visit `regimes´-formalized electronic front offices-of these agencies, and assemble the various requirements into a customized procedure for the client. On the client´s approval, the procedure may then be executed by the messenger, delivering and collecting the appropriate electronic documents and payments. The scheme relies on a common representation for regimes. One such representation, called Candid is presented. Various implementation aspects are also discussed