Abstract
Information is created by applying knowledge (enoded as programs or rules) to collected data and message received.
Data and computation resources are provided by a variety of suppliers, public and private.
The autonomy of the suppliers causes heterogeneity and inconsistencies. The number of potential suppliers and their autonomy also creates information overload
To cope with these issues novel intermediate services are needed, opening up new opportunities. Many traditional relationships among consumers and vendors will change.
We will present the concepts and status of such services. Collaboration, security, and payment schemes are some of the considerations.