Introduces readers to the basic principles and the exciting promise of a new generation of computer programs known as knowledge or expert systems, and their associated technologies. Explains what they do, how they work, and how they will be used to increase efficiency and productivity. Knowledge systems are computer programs that can help solve problems in the same fashion as human experts. Many studies have concluded that in the course of the next 20 years, knowledge systems will revolutionize the way businesses are conducted, and this book provides a preview of how that revolution will occur.