A Case-Based Reasoning Application for Engineering Sales Support Using Introspective Reasoning

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of a case-based reasoning application that supports engineering sales staff. The application is distributed and operates on the world wide web using the XML standard as a communications protocol between client and server side Java applets. The paper describes the distributed architecture of the operational prototype, the two case retrieval techniques used, its implementation, trial, and subsequent improvements to its architecture and retrieval techniques using introspective reasoning to improve retrieval efficiency. Introduction Western Air is a distributor of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in Australia with a turnover in 1997 of $25 million (US dollars). Based in Fremantle the company operates mainly in Western Australia, a geographic area of nearly two million square miles. The systems supported range from simple residential HVAC systems to complex installations in new build and existing factories and office...