Knowledgeable interface system using distributed multi-agents for mobile computer users

To cope with industrial growth, efficient linkages are required to various divisions´ systems, on different machines, from remote or mobile PCs. To meet this requirement, a knowledgeable interface system, MAKIS, for mobile computer users was developed. MAKIS comprises mobile (or remote) computers and server computers called wrap servers. MAKIS has three kinds of agents. It includes and utilizes flexibly organized goal-centered complex knowledge for system-linkage and business-operation. Utilizing this knowledge, MAKIS enables the prompt easy reuse of existing knowledge in conventional systems, in various sections, without changing their software, from remote or mobile PCs in a standard distributed environment. An experimental application to elevator renewal cost estimation proved the effectiveness of MAKIS. For example, using conventional systems, 17 screens were needed per estimation, but MAKIS needed only 1 screen. As a result even those who have little expertise either in estimation or in system linkage could make estimates promptly from outside the office