Overview

We begin this book with a peek into the near future!

We describe a series of scenes from an office that has a very advanced knowledge portal. All the interactions with this portal are through verbal exchanges and all our characters and companies are fictitious. We hope that the conversational tone of the story will help readers better imagine the enhanced work situations and the role that a knowledge portal can play.

K-Agent is the knowledge portal. It is a personalized knowledge portal that talks to people it can answer questions, make suggestions, and connect people to one another. It can also alert, beam signals, display documents, and offer links to various knowledge sources.

Scene 1

Characters:

K-Agent, the knowledge portal

Joe Armstrong, chief technology officer, Sigma Inc., Boston office

Susan Dodge, senior researcher, Sigma, Zurich office

Locations:

Joe s car

Joe s office

Context:

Sigma is a leading vendor of high-end engines for the aircraft and aeronautics industry.

Joe is the leading person in a product development project called Project Alpha.

Susan just joined another division of Sigma in Zurich, Switzerland.

Joe is driving to work early in the morning.

Joe: Good morning, K-Agent!

K-Agent: Good morning, Joe!

Joe: What is the relevant news related to project Alpha?

K-Agent: External news agencies are reporting that the director of R&D of Sigma s top competitor is leaving his company.

Joe: OK. Next.

K-Agent: A senior engineer named Susan Dodge just joined our Zurich office yesterday. She has experience that is highly relevant...