Entropy- and ontology-based e-services proposing approach

Abstract

E-services have significantly changed the way of doing business in recent years. We can, however, observe poor use of these services. There is a large gap between supply and actual e-services usage. This is why we started a project to provide an environment that will encourage the use of e-services. In the paper we propose an idea of intelligent e-services platform. In addition to established possibilities of searching (e.g. keyword searching, manual classified knowledge browsing), we also propose our own original approach. The ontology and algorithm for proposing appropriate e-services are described in the paper. We use expert knowledge in form of question-answer pairs. It is used by the algorithm to dynamically guide a dialog with user. Intelligently selected sequence of questions is used to suggest the e-service that could help user at a given situation. Ontologies and semantic web technologies are used heavily therefore. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.