The most-used capabilities of intelligent agents are on networked computers. Network administrators can use intelligent agent software to observe operations in progress, monitor use of particular resources or programs, and provide fairly complex use reports which allow the network administrators to decide, for example, when the network is likely to need more storage capacity or when it may be necessary to do archiving of old data to free up space on the hard drives of various individual computers. These types of tasks are now often handled from the network server level rather than having service personnel go around and access each computer individually. This can make an enormous difference in the time it takes, for example, to upgrade versions of software used by each of the computers in a company. In addition, this type of network use of intelligent agent software allows commercial software vendors to upgrade or trouble-shoot the software directly, over the Internet and then via the company's network server.
Computer networks are increasingly critical to an efficient and effective work environment.
Networked systems allow users access to many useful resources. Unfortunately, the connected nature of networked systems means that the system may be adversely affected through its connections. Whether the damage is intentional or unintentional, intelligent agent software can help find out what went wrong and help get the system up and running again much more quickly than was previously possible. E-mail is a real boon in most businesses. It allows a much greater and more efficient system of communication for many business users.