Agent Technology Handbook (McGraw-Hill Computer Communications Series)

This high-level book is aimed at technically sophisticated network managers and designers who need to know what agents are and what they can do for their corporate networks and Internet capabilities. This reference gives an in-depth look at agents in networks and telecommunications systems as well as the applications that work with agents.

Help your knowledge workers perform at peak efficiency! While applications of intelligent agents are growing dramatically, most guide addressing implementation issues are overly technical. Now the renowned author/consultant Dimitris Chorafas makes agents fully accessible to those who need to understand their background and how they help knowledge workers. He pays particular attention to applications of agents in telecommunications and computers communications, including network management with agents. He also focuses on security issues. Using a management orientation with scores of practical examples, Chorafas discusses architecture characteristics relevant to agents, how to build and use agents, and important aspects of KQML, and C++ Telescript. Crystal-clear chapters explore how to use agents to: Concurrently design software and hardware in a network; Improve software functionality and time to market; Help with mission-critical functions; Improve service quality through rapid deployment of knowledge robots; Enhance reliability and network diagnostics; solve the year 2000 problem. coverage extends to handling the risks of man-made systems, fault tolerance, and the cost of network failures, as well as application of agents to the Internet and private intranets. Overviews of future developments in agent applications based on MIT's latest projects are included. Let the Agent Technology Handbook be your one-stop resource to fully exploiting a pathbreaking technology. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dimitris N. Chorafas is an internationally known independent consultant specializing in strategic planning and the design of information systems. He has advised many element clients throughout the world, including General Electric, Honeywell, Digital Equipment, the American Management Association, Nestle, the Union Bank of Switzerland, Transatlandtique, and many more leading financial institutions. Dr. Chorafas is the author of more than 105 books, including 40 books on management, finance, and computing topics. His seminars for banking, industrial, and government executives have been attended by over 6,000 professionals in 17 countries. A Fullbright Scholar, Dr. Chorafas received his doctorate in mathematics and logic at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.