What is it?

KBXpert is a powerful decision tree technology that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2009.  It consists of a server application and an ultra-thin client (browser client available soon).  It works over any network connection, including the Internet.  As powerful as it is, it is very lightweight and easy to install.  KBXpert can piggyback on any servers and workstations that you already have.  Or we can host it for you.

What does it do?

KBXpert delivers critical information and documents to people in your organization during any kind of situation or event, and tracks the status of tasks that need to be done.  The result is complete and consistent responses to common situations that are relevant to your organization, as well as a detailed history of what happened and when.

KBXpert can be deployed in a variety of business environments, but it excels in situations where a division of labor exists to fulfill various roles.  KBXpert content can be tagged for specific roles, and the system will route appropriate role-based content to the people who need it.  So different people/groups can collaborate to address different parts of a problem.

How does the system know about my rules?

You formulate your business rules and content in familiar spreadsheets, starting with a series of questions.   The KBXpert server imports the spreadsheets, and uses the rules to guide events.  As users answer questions during an event, the system delivers and tracks additional content, such as tasks, warnings, document links and other information that you can configure.

You do not need to be a software developer to create content -- just the ability to think logically about what your organization does.  No special or proprietary tools are required.  On the user side,  you do not need any special skills to use the system and benefit from the content.  On both ends, KBXpert makes the complex simple.  That said, we are always ready to help configure your system.

Sounds like an expert system...

Technically, KBXpert is not an expert system, but it acts like one in many ways.  The problem with expert systems is that they tend to be very expensive and difficult to configure.  KBXpert lets you define your business rules the way normal people tend to think about them.  E.g., "When this happens, what's the first thing I need to ask?  OK, if that's true, what do I do next?"  Etc.  Traditional expert systems don't work this way.

However, KBXpert does many sophisticated things that you would expect from an expert system.  For example KBXpert can "roll back" an event at any point in the process, if you change your mind, or if conditions change.  The system has the intelligence to figure out what should change as a result of any upstream change in your process.

What else does it do?

A lot.  From shared whiteboards to mapping and GIS, KBXpert is a sophisticated, multi-faceted technology solution to the basic problem of ensuring consistent response to events across an organization.

Aren't all thin client systems an IT nightmare?

No.  Although we are developing a browser-based solution for organizations that need it, browser-based solutions can never equal the depth and flexibility of a well-designed and dedicated client application.  The software industry has been trying to disprove this for 15 years, and it continues to fail. 

Most bad thin client applications are really poorly-designed thick client applications in disguise.  A truly thin Windows client takes only a few seconds to install, will not install anything else, will not affect other software on your computer, updates itself as needed, runs on virtually any version of Windows without tweaking, uninstalls on request, and requires only a server name and login to connect.  KBXpert meets all of these requirements.  The IT department has nothing to fear.

Is this vaporware?

Absolutely not.  The technology has been around for a decade.  That said, we are really just getting started in tapping the potential.  We have reached major milestones in the last couple years, and exciting times are ahead.  KBXpert is now the muscle behind solutions a number of different facilities in the Philadelphia area, including utilities like PECO Energy and the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.