Classic and prose stories: Enabling technologies for knowledge-based systems

The complexity and scope of telecommunications systems equipment brings special challenges for the order-realization process. In particular, one wants to maintain a simple-to-use interaction between the sales force and the customer, and yet supply downstream engineering and manufacturing processes with sufficient information for manufacturing, billing, and installation. In this paper, we describe a unique approach to developing expert configurators for AT&T Network Systems equipment, using knowledge-based technology that meets the needs of a diverse set of users.