Intelligence in Services and Networks: Technology for Cooperative Competition : Fourth International Conference on Intelligence in Services and Networks: IS&N'97, Cernobbio, Italy, May 27-29, 1997, Pr

Intelligence in Services and Networks focuses on exploring how best the inherent intelligence in networks may be employed and enhanced to provide, firstly, flexibility and open competition in the provision of communications-based services and, secondly, the means for managing and administering end-to-end communication systems that span many independent network operators and service providers. The emphasis in this area of research is on applying the best techniques for system specification and corresponding software development, as a basis for the creation of open platforms, and subsequent standardisation. Resolving this issue is key to the successful deployment of advanced communications in the deregulated and highly competitive environment that will underpin any futher "information society".