Software agent technology for IT vs. consumer applications

Originally, my interest in software agent technology was focused on applications for businesses or IT. Later, as the tech "boom" fizzled and IT started focusing on cutting costs, IT seemed infinitely less attractive than consumer applications. Now, given the over-abundance of consumer-oriented technology and gizmos and gadgets, I'm beginning to reconsider if IT might not be a better target after all.

In truth, both IT and consumer applications are great targets for software agent technology. The question was simply which sector was more likely to have the kind of spending and tolerance for new technology that software agents would present.

-- Jack Krupansky