A Knowledge-based Sales Assistant for Data Communications Networks

摘要

The present work describes a successful application of knowledge-based technology in the domain of data communications network design.More specifically,the work describes our experience in the development of a sales assistance tool which will help Bell Canada sales personnel in the selection,design,and costing of network solutions that meet customers' objectives.The principle contributions of the work are the following: (ⅰ) identification of the unique requirements for a sales assistance tool which would meet users' needs,(ⅱ) development of a flexible knowledge-based architecture which has proven successful for implementing the specified tool requirements,and (ⅲ) description of the currently implemented prototype,together with various planned future extensions.Although the paper focusses on data networks,much of the discussion about tool requirements and knowledge-based design techniques are generic in nature and should have wider applicability in domains other than data communications sales.