Design and Implementation

This chapter describes the technological challenges faced during the design and implementation of the K4Care system, an agent-based Web-accessible platform that helps medical practitioners to deliver Home Care services in an efficient way. The system incorporates a Knowledge Layer, with an explicit representation of the required medico-organizational knowledge. The administrative and care actions are performed by the coordinated operation of intelligent agents, that represent the human users of the system. Users can access the platform by means of a Web interface. Several Web 2.0 technologies have been used in order to provide a rich interaction, putting an especial care on connecting the Web browser with the multi-agent system in an efficient manner. An intermediate Data Abstraction Layer has been incorporated in order to allow agents to transparently retrieve the appropriate knowledge when needed. The separation of the knowledge from its actual use has allowed the development of a very dynamic, flexible and adaptable system. The platform also includes several techniques to personalize the interaction with the user both from the visual and functional points of view. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-777-0.ch018