Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 February 2009
KANT is a knowledge-based system designed to diagnose Olivetti personal computers connected as remote terminals to a host computer through a SNA link. KANT is a collection of a few knowledge-based units: some of them operate in the field, and some operate back at the home office. They are configured in two blackboard systems which exchange data via the SNA link. The first blackboard runs on a cheap personal computer, only employs shallow knowledge, and performs the diagnoses that can be achieved in the field. The second blackboard runs on corporate mainframes, employs deep knowledge, and supports the more sophisticated analysis that is required from the project team for fixing complex problems.