Discussion Papers 5–6

R. COMLEY, South Staffordshire Water Are computer interface standards, or will they become, a reality?

Is the computer aided software engineering applicable, to PLC programming of smaller systems?

S. WALKER. North West. Water Ltd Expert systems are not used within the day to day management of North West Water, but we have been investigating their use with the development of prototypes in some areas. I personally have been involved in a two year project which has developed a prototype expert system for drought management. This experience has taught us a lot, for example whether a language should be used in preference to a shell, how the acquisition of knowledge should be approached etc. Whereas the prototype will not be used in day to day use, we are sufficiently impressed with the potential to aim to develop a system which can be used in day to day management.