In general, Information Processing is reactive. And Knowledge Processing is proactive.

There are times when you should utilize knowledge processing, and times when you should NOT use knowledge processing.

Here are the personalities of the twin sisters as seen through the eyes of a typical end-user.

On the other hand, the end-user of information processing retains complete control over the entire system and may end up wandering away from the objective at hand.

This reactive presentation is a good example. You can go to any highlighted area you choose. This presentation method is responding to your commands, as you wish. You could even go around in circles, if you wish. No one is going to stop you.

If it were to be a knowledge driven system, your peripatetic behavior could be curbed and you could be tightly controlled. However, if you operate within both internally and externally imposed rules, you have complete freedom to accomplish whatever you wish to accomplish. Knowledge gaps if encountered will be automatically filled in for you.

In knowledge processing, the control of the process shifts back and forth between the knowledge driven system and the end-user, depending upon whether the end-user is within the business rules or not.

• Pro-actively guides end-user through each step in a complex process.

  Every end-user can achieve consistently high performance regardless of individual experience or training.

• Provides only relevant choices and information at each step.

  End-users save time by having immediate access to relevant knowledge. Support requirements are greatly reduced.