ATTENTION : COPIE LOCALE DATANT DU 11 mai 2000.

Archive-name: ai-faq/neural-nets/part6
Last-modified: 2000-05-23
URL: ftp://ftp.sas.com/pub/neural/FAQ6.html
Maintainer: saswss@unx.sas.com (Warren S. Sarle)
The copyright for the description of each product is held by the producer or distributor of the product or whoever it was who supplied the description for the FAQ, who by submitting it for the FAQ gives permission for the description to be reproduced as part of the FAQ in any of the ways specified in part 1 of the FAQ.

This is part 6 (of 7) of a monthly posting to the Usenet newsgroup comp.ai.neural-nets. See the part 1 of this posting for full information what it is all about.
 
 

========== Questions ==========

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Learning
Part 3: Generalization
Part 4: Books, data, etc.
Part 5: Free software
Part 6: Commercial software
    Commercial software packages for NN simulation?
     
     
Part 7: Hardware and miscellaneous
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Commercial software packages for NN simulation?

Since the FAQ maintainer works for a software company, he does not recommend or evaluate software in the FAQ. The descriptions below are provided by the developers or distributors of the software.

Note for future submissions: Please restrict product descriptions to a maximum of 60 lines of 72 characters, in either plain-text format or, preferably, HTML format. If you include the standard header (name, company, address, etc.), you need not count the header in the 60 line maximum. Please confine your HTML to features that are supported by primitive browsers, especially NCSA Mosaic 2.0; avoid tables, for example--use <pre> instead. Try to make the descriptions objective, and avoid making implicit or explicit assertions about competing products, such as "Our product is the *only* one that does so-and-so." The FAQ maintainer reserves the right to remove excessive marketing hype and to edit submissions to conform to size requirements; if he is in a good mood, he may also correct your spelling and punctuation.

The following simulators are described below:

  1. BrainMaker
  2. SAS Enterprise Miner Software
  3. NeuralWorks
  4. MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox
  5. Propagator
  6. NeuroForecaster
  7. Products of NESTOR, Inc.
  8. Ward Systems Group (NeuroShell, etc.)
  9. Neuralyst
  10. NeuFuz4
  11. Cortex-Pro
  12. Partek
  13. NeuroSolutions v3.0
  14. Qnet For Windows Version 2.0
  15. NeuroLab, A Neural Network Library
  16. hav.Software: havBpNet++, havFmNet++, havBpNet:J
  17. IBM Neural Network Utility
  18. NeuroGenetic Optimizer (NGO) Version 2.0
  19. WAND
  20. The Dendronic Learning Engine
  21. TDL v. 1.1 (Trans-Dimensional Learning)
  22. NeurOn-Line
  23. NeuFrame, NeuroFuzzy, NeuDesk and NeuRun
  24. OWL Neural Network Library (TM)
  25. Neural Connection
  26. Pattern Recognition Workbench Expo/PRO/PRO+
  27. PREVia
  28. Neural Bench
  29. Trajan 2.1 Neural Network Simulator
  30. DataEngine
  31. Machine Consciousness Toolbox
  32. Professional Basis of AI Backprop
  33. STATISTICA: Neural Networks
  34. Braincel (Excel add-in)
  35. DESIRE/NEUNET
  36. BioNet Simulator
  37. Viscovery SOMine
  38. NeuNet Pro
  39. Neuronics
See also http://www.emsl.pnl.gov:2080/proj/neuron/neural/systems/software.html

    BrainMaker

             Name: BrainMaker, BrainMaker Pro
          Company: California Scientific Software
          Address: 10024 Newtown rd, Nevada City, CA, 95959 USA
            Phone: 800 284-8112, 530 478 9040
              Fax: 530 478 9041
              URL: http://www.calsci.com/
       Basic capabilities:  train backprop neural nets
       Operating system:   Windows, Mac
       System requirements:
      
       Approx. price:  $195, $795
    
       BrainMaker Pro 3.7 (DOS/Windows)     $795
           Gennetic Training add-on         $250
       BrainMaker 3.7 (DOS/Windows/Mac)     $195
           Network Toolkit add-on           $150
       BrainMaker 3.7 Student version       (quantity sales only, about $38 each)
    
       BrainMaker Pro CNAPS Accelerator Board $8145
    
       Introduction To Neural Networks book $30
    
       30 day money back guarantee, and unlimited free technical support.
       BrainMaker package includes:
        The book Introduction to Neural Networks
        BrainMaker Users Guide and reference manual
            300 pages, fully indexed, with tutorials, and sample networks
        Netmaker
            Netmaker makes building and training Neural Networks easy, by
            importing and automatically creating BrainMaker's Neural Network
            files.  Netmaker imports Lotus, Excel, dBase, and ASCII files.
        BrainMaker
            Full menu and dialog box interface, runs Backprop at 3,000,000 cps
            on a 300Mhz Pentium II; 570,000,000 cps on CNAPS accelerator.
    
       ---Features ("P" means is available in professional version only):
       MMX instruction set support for increased computation speed,
       Pull-down Menus, Dialog Boxes, Programmable Output Files,
       Editing in BrainMaker,  Network Progress Display (P),
       Fact Annotation,  supports many printers,  NetPlotter,
       Graphics Built In (P),  Dynamic Data Exchange (P),
       Binary Data Mode, Batch Use Mode (P), EMS and XMS Memory (P),
       Save Network Periodically,  Fastest Algorithms,
       512 Neurons per Layer (P: 32,000), up to 8 layers,
       Specify Parameters by Layer (P), Recurrence Networks (P),
       Prune Connections and Neurons (P),  Add Hidden Neurons In Training,
       Custom Neuron Functions,  Testing While Training,
       Stop training when...-function (P),  Heavy Weights (P),
       Hypersonic Training,  Sensitivity Analysis (P),  Neuron Sensitivity (P),
       Global Network Analysis (P),  Contour Analysis (P),
       Data Correlator (P),  Error Statistics Report,
       Print or Edit Weight Matrices,  Competitor (P), Run Time System (P),
       Chip Support for Intel, American Neurologics, Micro Devices,
       Genetic Training Option (P),  NetMaker,  NetChecker,
       Shuffle,  Data Import from Lotus, dBASE, Excel, ASCII, binary,
       Finacial Data (P),  Data Manipulation,  Cyclic Analysis (P),
       User's Guide quick start booklet,
       Introduction to Neural Networks 324 pp book

    SAS Enterprise Miner Software

        Name: SAS Enterprise Miner Software
    
              In USA:                 In Europe:
     Company: SAS Institute, Inc.     SAS Institute, European Office 
     Address: SAS Campus Drive        Neuenheimer Landstrasse 28-30 
              Cary, NC 27513          P.O.Box 10 53 40 
              USA                     D-69043 Heidelberg 
                                      Germany
       Phone: (919) 677-8000          (49) 6221 4160
         Fax: (919) 677-4444          (49) 6221 474 850
    
         URL: http://www.sas.com/software/components/miner.html
       Email: software@sas.sas.com
    
    Operating systems: Windows NT
    To find the addresses and telephone numbers of other SAS Institute offices, including those outside the USA and Europe, connect your web browser to http://www.sas.com/offices/intro.html.

    Enterprise Miner is an integrated software product that provides an end-to-end business solution for data mining based on SEMMA (Sample, Explore, Modify, Model, Assess) methodology. Statistical tools include clustering, decision trees, linear and logistic regression, and neural networks. Data preparation tools include outlier detection, variable transformations, random sampling, and the partitioning of data sets (into training, test, and validation data sets). Advanced visualization tools enable you to quickly and easily examine large amounts of data in multidimensional histograms, and to graphically compare modeling results.

    The neural network tool includes multilayer perceptrons, radial basis functions, statistical versions of counterpropagation and learning vector quantization, a variety of built-in activation and error functions, multiple hidden layers, direct input-output connections, categorical variables, standardization of inputs and targets, and multiple preliminary optimizations from random initial values to avoid local minima. Training is done by state-of-the-art numerical optimization algorithms instead of tedious backprop.

    NeuralWorks

         Name: NeuralWorks Professional II Plus (from NeuralWare)
      Company: NeuralWare Inc.
       Adress: RIDC Park West
               202 Park West Drive
               Pittsburgh, PA 15275
        Phone: (412) 787-8222
          FAX: (412) 787-8220
        Email: sales@neuralware.com
          URL: http://www.neuralware.com/
    
     Distributor for Europe:
       Scientific Computers GmbH.
       Franzstr. 107, 52064 Aachen
       Germany
       Tel.   (49) +241-26041
       Fax.   (49) +241-44983
       Email. info@scientific.de
    
     Basic capabilities:
       supports over 30 different nets: backprop, art-1,kohonen,
       modular neural network, General regression, Fuzzy art-map,
       probabilistic nets, self-organizing map, lvq, boltmann,
       bsb, spr, etc...
       Extendable with optional package.
       ExplainNet, Flashcode (compiles net in .c code for runtime),
       user-defined io in c possible. ExplainNet (to eliminate
       extra inputs), pruning, savebest,graph.instruments like
       correlation, hinton diagrams, rms error graphs etc..
     Operating system   : PC,Sun,IBM RS6000,Apple Macintosh,SGI,Dec,HP.
     System requirements: varies. PC:2MB extended memory+6MB Harddisk space.
                          Uses windows compatible memory driver (extended).
                          Uses extended memory.
     Approx. price      : call (depends on platform)
     Comments           : award winning documentation, one of the market
                          leaders in NN software.

    MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox

    The Mathworks Inc.
    3 Apple Hill Drive
    Natck, MA 01760
    Phone: 508-647-7000 
      Fax: 508-647-7001
    The Neural Network Toolbox is a powerful collection of MATLAB functions for the design, training, and simulation of neural networks. It supports a wide range of network architectures with an unlimited number of processing elements and interconnections (up to operating system constraints). Supported architectures and training methods include: supervised training of feedforward networks using the perceptron learning rule, Widrow-Hoff rule, several variations on backpropagation (including the fast Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm), and radial basis networks; supervised training of recurrent Elman networks; unsupervised training of associative networks including competitive and feature map layers; Kohonen networks, self-organizing maps, and learning vector quantization. The Neural Network Toolbox contains a textbook-quality Users' Guide, uses tutorials, reference materials and sample applications with code examples to explain the design and use of each network architecture and paradigm. The Toolbox is delivered as MATLAB M-files, enabling users to see the algorithms and implementations, as well as to make changes or create new functions to address a specific application.

     (Comment from Nigel Dodd, nd@neural.win-uk.net): there is also a free Neural Network Based System Identification Toolbox available from http://kalman.iau.dtu.dk/Projects/proj/nnsysid.html that contains many of the supervised training algorithms, some of which are duplicated in C code which should run faster. This free toolbox does regularisation and pruning which the costly one doesn't attempt (as of Nov 1995).

    (Message from Eric A. Wan, ericwan@eeap.ogi.edu) FIR/TDNN Toolbox for MATLAB: Beta version of a toolbox for FIR (Finite Impulse Response) and TD (Time Delay) Neural Networks. For efficient stochastic implementation, algorithms are written as MEX compatible c-code which can be called as primitive functions from within MATLAB. Both source and compiled functions are available. URL: http://www.eeap.ogi.edu/~ericwan/fir.html
     
     

    Propagator

      Contact: ARD Corporation,
               9151 Rumsey Road, Columbia, MD  21045, USA
               propagator@ard.com
      Easy to use neural network training package.  A GUI implementation of
      backpropagation networks with five layers (32,000 nodes per layer).
      Features dynamic performance graphs, training with a validation set,
      and C/C++ source code generation.
      For Sun (Solaris 1.x & 2.x, $499),
          PC  (Windows 3.x, $199)
          Mac (System 7.x, $199)
      Floating point coprocessor required, Educational Discount,
      Money Back Guarantee, Muliti User Discount
      See http://www.cs.umbc.edu/~zwa/Gator/Description.html
      Windows Demo on:
        nic.funet.fi        /pub/msdos/windows/demo
        oak.oakland.edu     /pub/msdos/neural_nets
            gatordem.zip    pkzip 2.04g archive file
            gatordem.txt    readme text file

    NeuroForecaster& VisuaData

    Name: NeuroForecaster(TM)/Genetica 4.1a
    Contact: Accel Infotech (S) Pte Ltd; 648 Geylang Road; Republic of Singapore 1438;
    Phone: +65-7446863, 3366997; Fax: +65-3362833, Internet: accel@technet.sg, accel@singapore.com

     Neuroforecaster 4.1a for Windows is priced at US$1199 per single user license. Please email us (accel@technet.sg) for order form.

    For more information and evaluation copy please visit http://www.singapore.com/products/nfga.
    NeuroForecaster is a user-friendly ms-windows neural network program specifically designed for building sophisticated and powerful forecasting and decision-support systems (Time-Series Forecasting, Cross-Sectional Classification, Indicator Analysis)
    Features:

    Companion Software - VisuaData for Windows A user-friendly data management program designed for intelligent technical analysis. It reads MetaStock, CSI, Computrac and various ASCII data file formats directly, generates over 100 popular and new technical indicators and buy/sell signals.

    Products of NESTOR, Inc.

    530 Fifth Avenue;
    New York, NY 10036; USA;
    Tel.: 001-212-398-7955
    Founders: Dr. Leon Cooper (having a Nobel Prize) and Dr. Charles Elbaum (Brown University). Neural Network Models: Adaptive shape and pattern recognition (Restricted Coulomb Energy - RCE) developed by NESTOR is one of the most powerfull Neural Network Model used in a later products. The basis for NESTOR products is the Nestor Learning System - NLS. Later are developed: Character Learning System - CLS and Image Learning System - ILS. Nestor Development System - NDS is a development tool in Standard C - a powerfull PC-Tool for simulation and development of Neural Networks. NLS is a multi-layer, feed forward system with low connectivity within each layer and no relaxation procedure used for determining an output response. This unique architecture allows the NLS to operate in real time without the need for special computers or custom hardware. NLS is composed of multiple neural networks, each specializing in a subset of information about the input patterns. The NLS integrates the responses of its several parallel networks to produce a system response. Minimized connectivity within each layer results in rapid training and efficient memory utilization- ideal for current VLSI technology. Intel has made such a chip - NE1000.

    Ward Systems Group (NeuroShell, etc.)

          
       Name: NeuroShell Predictor, NeuroShell Classifier, 
             NeuroShell Run-Time Server, NeuroShell Trader,
             NeuroShell Trader Professional, NeuroShell 2,
             GeneHunter, NeuroShell Engine
    Company: Ward Systems Group, Inc.
    Address: Executive Park West
             5 Hillcrest Drive
             Frederick, MD 21702
             USA
      Phone: 301 662-7950
        FAX: 301 662-5666
      Email: WardSystems@msn.com
        URL: http://www.wardsystems.com
    Ward Systems Group Product Descriptions: Contact us for a free demo diskette and Consumer's Guide to Neural Networks.

    Neuralyst

    Name:  Neuralyst Version 1.4;
    Company:  Cheshire Engineering Corporation;
    Address:  650 Sierra Madre Villa, Suite 201, Pasedena CA 91107;
    Phone:    818-351-0209;
    Fax:      818-351-8645;
    Basic capabilities: training of backpropogation neural nets. Operating system: Windows or Macintosh running Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. Neuralyst is an add-in package for Excel. Approx. price: $195 for windows or Mac.

    NeuFuz4

          Name: NeuFuz4
       Company: National Semiconductor Corporation
       Address: 2900 Semiconductor Drive, Santa Clara, CA, 95052,
            or: Industriestrasse 10, D-8080 Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany,
            or: Sumitomo Chemical Engineering Center, Bldg. 7F 1-7-1, Nakase,
                  Mihama-Ku, Chiba-City, Ciba Prefecture 261, JAPAN,
            or: 15th Floor, Straight Block, Ocean Centre, 5 Canton Road, Tsim
                  Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong,
         Phone: (800) 272-9959    (Americas),
              : 011-49-8141-103-0 Germany
              : 0l1-81-3-3299-7001 Japan
              : (852) 737-1600 Hong Kong
         Email: neufuz@esd.nsc.com (Neural net inquiries only)
           URL: http://www.commerce.net/directories/participants/ns/home.html
    
    Basic capabilities:
      Uses backpropagation techniques to initially select fuzzy rules
      and membership functions. The result is a fuzzy associative memory (FAM)
      which implements an approximation of the training data.
    Operating Systems: 486DX-25 or higher with math co-processor
                       DOS 5.0 or higher  with Windows 3.1, mouse,
                       VGA or better, minimum 4 MB RAM, and parallel port.
    Approx. price    : depends on version - see below.
    Comments         :
       Not for the serious Neural Network researcher, but good for a person
       who has little understanding of Neural Nets - and wants to keep it that
       way. The systems are aimed at low end controls applications in
       automotive, industrial, and appliance areas.  NeuFuz is a neural-fuzzy
       technology which uses backpropagation techniques to initially select
       fuzzy rules and membership functions.  Initial stages of design using
       NeuFuz technology are performed using training data and
       backpropagation. The result is a fuzzy associative memory (FAM) which
       implements an approximation of the training data.  By implementing a
       FAM, rather than a multi-layer perceptron, the designer has a solution
       which can be understood and tuned to a particular application using
       Fuzzy Logic design techniques.
       There are several different versions, some with COP8 Code Generator
       (COP8 is National's family of 8-bit microcontrollers) and
       COP8 in-circuit emulator (debug module).

    Cortex-Pro

    Cortex-Pro information is on WWW at:
    http://www.reiss.demon.co.uk/webctx/intro.html.
    You can download a working demo from there.
    Contact: Michael Reiss ( http://www.mth.kcl.ac.uk/~mreiss/mick.html)
    email: <m.reiss@kcl.ac.uk>.

    Partek

    Partek is a young, growing company dedicated to providing our customers with the best software and services for data analysis and modeling. We do this by providing a combination of statistical analysis and modeling techniques and modern tools such as neural networks, fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, and data visualization. These powerful analytical tools are delivered with high quality, state of the art software.

    Please visit our home on the World Wide Web: www.partek.com

    Partek Incorporated
    5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.
    St. Charles, MO 63304
    voice: 314-926-2329
    fax: 314-441-6881
    email: info@partek.com
    http://www.partek.com/

    NeuroSolutions v3.0

                Name: NeuroSolutions v3.0
             Company: NeuroDimension, Inc.
             Address: 1800 N. Main St., Suite D4
                      Gainesville FL, 32609
               Phone: (800) 634-3327 or (352) 377-5144
                 FAX: (352) 377-9009
               Email: info@nd.com
                 URL: http://www.nd.com/
    Operating System: Windows 95, Windows NT
               Price: $195 - $1995 (educational discounts available)
    NeuroSolutions is a highly graphical neural network simulator for Windows 95/98 and Windows NT 4.0/5.0. This leading edge software combines a modular, icon-based network design interface with an implementation of advanced learning procedures, such as recurrent backpropagation and backpropagation through time. The result is a virtually unconstrained environment for designing neural networks for research or to solve real-world problems.

    Download a free evaluation copy from http://www.nd.com/download/downnsv3.htm.

    Topologies

    Learning Paradigms

    Advanced Features

    Qnet For Windows Version 2.0

    Vesta Services, Inc.
    1001 Green Bay Rd, Suite 196
    Winnetka, IL   60093
    Phone:   (708) 446-1655
    E-Mail:  VestaServ@aol.com
    Trial Version Available: ftp://oak.oakland.edu/SimTel/win3/neurlnet/qnetv2t.zip

    Vesta Services announces Qnet for Windows Version 2.0. Qnet is an advanced neural network modeling system that is ideal for developing and implementing neural network solutions under Windows. The use of neural network technology has grown rapidly over the past few years and is being employed by an increasing number of disciplines to automate complex decision making and problem solving tasks. Qnet Version 2 is a powerful, 32-bit, neural network development system for Windows NT, Windows 95 and Windows 3.1/Win32s. In addition its development features, Qnet automates access and use of Qnet neural networks under Windows.

    Qnet neural networks have been successfully deployed to provide solutions in finance, investing, marketing, science, engineering, medicine, manufacturing, visual recognition... Qnet's 32-bit architecture and high-speed training engine tackle problems of large scope and size. Qnet also makes accessing this advanced technology easy. Qnet's neural network setup dialogs guide users through the design process. Simple copy/paste procedures can be used to transfer training data from other applications directly to Qnet. Complete, interactive analysis is available during training. Graphs monitor all key training information. Statistical checks measure model quality. Automated testing is available for training optimization. To implement trained neural networks, Qnet offers a variety of choices. Qnet's built-in recall mode can process new cases through trained neural networks. Qnet also includes a utility to automate access and retrieval of solutions from other Windows applications. All popular Windows spreadsheet and database applications can be setup to retrieve Qnet solutions with the click of a button. Application developers are provided with DLL access to Qnet neural networks and for complete portability, ANSI C libraries are included to allow access from virtually any platform.

    Qnet for Windows is being offered at an introductory price of $199. It is available immediately and may be purchased directly from Vesta Services. Vesta Services may be reached at (voice) (708) 446-1655; (FAX) (708) 446-1674; (e-mail) VestaServ@aol.com; (mail) 1001 Green Bay Rd, #196, Winnetka, IL 60093

    NeuroLab, A Neural Network Library

    Contact: Mikuni Berkeley R & D Corporation; 4000 Lakeside Dr.; Richmond, CA
    Tel: 510-222-9880; Fax: 510-222-9884; e-mail: neurolab-info@mikuni.com

    NeuroLab is a block-diagram-based neural network library for Extend simulation software (developed by Imagine That, Inc.). The library aids the understanding, designing and simulating of neural network systems. The library consists of more than 70 functional blocks for artificial neural network implementation and many example models in several professional fields.The package provides icon-based functional blocks for easy implementation of simulation models. Users click, drag and connect blocks to construct a neural network and can specify network parameters--such as back propagation methods, learning rates, initial weights, and biases--in the dialog boxes of the functional blocks.
    Users can modify blocks with the Extend model-simulation scripting language, ModL, and can include compiled program modules written in other languages using XCMD and XFCN (external command and external function) interfaces and DLL (dynamic linking library) for Windows. The package provides many kinds of output blocks to monitor neural network status in real time using color displays and animation and includes special blocks for control application fields. Educational blocks are also included for people who are just beginning to learn about neural networks and their applications.
    The library features various types of neural networks --including Hopfield, competitive, recurrent, Boltzmann machine, single/multilayer feed-forward, perceptron, context, feature map, and counter-propagation-- and has several back-propagation options: momentum and normalized methods, adaptive learning rate, and accumulated learning.

     The package runs on Macintosh II or higher (FPU recommended) with system 6.0.7 or later and PC compatibles (486 or higher recommended) with Windows 3.1 or later, and requires 4Mbytes of RAM. Models are transferable between the two platforms. NeuroLab v1.2 costs US$495 (US$999 bundled with Extend v3.1). Educational and volume discounts are available.
    A free demo can be downloaded by ftp://ftp.mikuni.com/pub/neurolab or http://www.mikuni.com/. Orders, questions or suggestions can be sent by e-mail to neurolab-info@mikuni.com.

    hav.Software: havBpNet++, havFmNet++, havBpNet:J

    Names:      havBpNet++
                havFmNet++
                havBpNet:J
    Company:    hav.Software
                P.O. Box 354
                Richmond, Tx.  77406-0354 - USA
    Phone:      (281) 341-5035
    Email:      hav@hav.com
    Web:        http://www.hav.com/

    IBM Neural Network Utility

    Product Name: IBM Neural Network Utility
    Distributor: Contact a local reseller or call 1-800-IBM-CALL, Dept. SA045 to order.
    Basic capabilities: The Neural Network Utility Family consists of six products: client/server capable versions for OS/2, Windows, AIX, and standalone versions for OS/2 and Windows. Applications built with NNU are portable to any of the supported platforms regardless of the development platform. NNU provides a powerful, easy to use, point-and-click graphical development environment. Features include: data translation and scaling, applicaton generation, multiple network models, and automated network training. We also support fuzzy rule systems, which can be combined with the neural networks. Once trained, our APIs allow you to embed your network and/or rulebase into your own applications.
    Operating Systems: OS/2, Windows, AIX, AS/400
    System requirements: basic; request brochure for more details
    Price: Prices start at $250
    For product brochures, detailed pricing information, or any other information, send a note to nninfo@vnet.ibm.com.

    NeuroGenetic Optimizer (NGO) Version 2.0

    BioComp's leading product is the NeuroGenetic Optimizer, or NGO. As the name suggests, the NGO is a neural network development tool that uses genetic algorithms to optimize the inputs and structure of a neural network. Without the NGO, building neural networks can be tedious and time consuming even for an expert. For example, in a relatively simple neural network, the number of possible combination of inputs and neural network structures can be easily over 100 billion. The difference between an average network and an optimum network is substantial. The NGO searches for optimal neural network solutions. See our web page at http://www.bio-comp.com. for a demo that you can download and try out. Our customers who have used other neural network development tools are delighted with both the ease of use of the NGO and the quality to their results.

    BioComp Systems, Inc. introduced version 1.0 of the NGO in January of 1995 and now proudly announces version 2.0. With version 2.0, the NGO is now equipped for predicting time-based information such as product sales, financial markets and instruments, process faults, etc., in addition to its current capabilities in functional modeling, classification, and diagnosis.

    While the NGO embodies sophisticated genetic algorithm search and neural network modeling technology, it has a very easy to use GUI interface for Microsoft Windows. You don't have to know or understand the underlying technology to build highly effective financial models. On the other hand, if you like to work with the technology, the NGO is highly configurable to customize the NGO to your liking.

    Key new features of the NGO include:

    With version 2.0, the NGO is now available as a full 32 bit application for Windows '95 and Windows NT to take advantage of the 32 bit preemptive multitasking power of those platforms. A 16 bit version for Windows 3.1 is also available. Customized professional server based systems are also available for high volume automated model generation and prediction. Prices start at $195.
    BioComp Systems, Inc.
    Overlake Business Center
    2871 152nd Avenue N.E.
    Redmond, WA 98052, USA
    1-800-716-6770 (US/Canada voice)=20  1-206-869-6770 (Local/Int'l voice)
    1-206-869-6850 (Fax)                 http://www.bio-comp.com.
    biocomp@biocomp.seanet.com           70673.1554@compuserve.com

    WAND

    Weightless Neural Design system for Education and Industry.
    Developed by Novel Technical Solutions in association with Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (London UK).
    WAND introduces Weightless Neural Technology as applied to Image Recognition.
    It includes an automated image preparation package, a weightless neural simulator and a comprehensive manual with hands-on tutorials.
    Full information including a download demo can be obtained from:
    http://www.ph.kcl.ac.uk/neuronet/software/nts/neural.html
    To contact Novel Technical Solutions email: <neural@nts.sonnet.co.uk>.

    The Dendronic Learning Engine

    The Dendronic Learning Engine (DLE) Software Development Kit (SDK) allows the user to easily program machine learning technology into high performance applications. Application programming interfaces to C and C++ are provided. Supervised learning is supported, as well as the recently developed reinforcement learning of value functions and Q-functions. Fast evaluation on PC hardware is supported by ALN Decision Trees.

    An ALN consists of linear functions with adaptable weights at the leaves of a tree of maximum and minimum operators. The tree grows automatically during training: a linear piece splits if its error is too high. The function computed by an ALN is piecewise linear and continuous, and can approximate any continuous function to any required accuracy. Statistics are reported on the fit of each linear piece to test data.

    The DLE has been very successful in predicting electrical power loads in the Province of Alberta. The 24-hour ahead load for all of Alberta (using seven weather regions) was predicted using a single ALN. Visit http://www.dendronic.com/applications.htm to learn about other successful applications to ATM communication systems, walking prostheses for persons with incomplete spinal cord injury, and many other areas.

    Operating Systems: Windows NT 4.0, 95 and higher.

    Price: Prices for the SDK start at $3495 US for a single seat, and are negotiable for embedded learning systems. A runtime non-learning system can be distributed royalty-free.

    The power of the DLE can be tried out using an interactive spreadsheet program, ALNBench. ALNBench is free for research, education and evaluation purposes. The program can be downloaded from http://www.dendronic.com/beta.htm (Please note the installation key given there!)

    For further information please contact:

    William W. Armstrong PhD, President
    Dendronic Decisions Limited
    3624 - 108 Street, NW
    Edmonton, Alberta,
    Canada T6J 1B4
    Email: arms@dendronic.com
    URL: http://www.dendronic.com/
    Tel. +1 403 421 0800
    (Note: The area code 403 changes to 780 after Jan. 25, 1999)

    TDL v. 1.1 (Trans-Dimensional Learning)

    Platform: Windows 3.*
    Company: Universal Problem Solvers, Inc.
    WWW-Site (UPSO): http://pages.prodigy.com/FL/lizard/index.html
    or FTP-Site (FREE Demo only): ftp.coast.net, in Directory:
    SimTel/win3/neurlnet, File: tdl11-1.zip and tdl11-2.zip
    Cost of complete program: US$20 + (US$3 Shipping and Handling).
    The purpose of TDL is to provide users of neural networks with a specific platform to conduct pattern recognition tasks. The system allows for the fast creation of automatically constructed neural networks. There is no need to resort to manually creating neural networks and twiddling with learning parameters. TDL's Wizard can help you optimize pattern recognition accuracy. Besides allowing the application user to automatically construct neural network for a given pattern recognition task, the system supports trans-dimensional learning. Simply put, this allows one to learn various tasks within a single network, which otherwise differ in the number of input stimuli and output responses utilized for describing them. With TDL it is possible to incrementally learn various pattern recognition tasks within a single coherent neural network structure. Furthermore, TDL supports the use of semi-weighted neural networks, which represent a hybrid cross between standard weighted neural networks and weightless multi-level threshold units. Combining both can result in extremely compact network structures (i.e., reduction in connections and hidden units), and improve predictive accuracy on yet unseen patterns. Of course the user has the option to create networks which only use standard weighted neurons.

    System Highlights:

    1. The user is in control of TDL's memory system (can decide how many examples and neurons are allocated ; no more limitations, except for your computers memory).
    2. TDLs Wizard supports hassle-free development of neural networks, the goal of course being optimization of predictive accuracy on unseen patterns.
    3. History option allows users to capture their favorite keystrokes and save them. Easy recall for future use.
    4. Provides symbolic interface which allows the user to create:Input and output definition files, Pattern files, and Help files for objects (i.e., inputs, input values, and outputs).
    5. Supports categorization of inputs. This allows the user to readily access inputs via a popup menu within the main TDL menu. The hierarchical structure of the popup menu is under the full control of the application developer (i. e., user).
    6. Symbolic object manipulation tool: Allows the user to interactively design the input/output structure of an application. The user can create, delete, or modify inputs, outputs, input values, and categories.
    7. Supports Rule representation: (a) Extends standard Boolean operators (i.e., and, or, not) to contain several quantifiers (i.e., atmost, atleast, exactly, between). (b) Provides mechanisms for rule revision (i.e., refinement) and extraction. (c) Allows partial rule recognition. Supported are first- and best-fit.
    8. Allows co-evolution of different subpopulations (based on type of transfer function chosen for each subpopulation).
    9. Provides three types of crossover operators: simple random, weighted and blocked.
    10. Supports both one-shot as well as multi-shot learning. Multi-shot learning allows for the incremental acquisition of different data sets. A single expert network is constructed, capable of recognizing all the data sets supplied during learning. Quick context switching between different domains is possible.
    11. Three types of local learning rules are included: perceptron, delta and fastprop.
    12. Implements 7 types of unit transfer functions: simple threshold, sigmoid, sigmoid-squash, n-level threshold, new n-level-threshold, gaussian and linear.
    13. Over a dozen statistics are collected during various batch training sessions. These can be viewed using the chart option.
    14. A 140+ page hypertext on-line help menu is available.
    15. A DEMONSTRATION of TDL can be invoked when initially starting the program.

    NeurOn-Line

    Built on Gensym Corp.'s G2(r), Gensym's NeurOn-Line(r) is a graphical, object-oriented software product that enables users to easily build neural networks and integrate them into G2 applications. NeurOn-Line is well suited for advanced control, data and sensor validation, pattern recognition, fault classification, and multivariable quality control applications. Gensym's NeurOn-Line provides neural net training and on-line deployment in a single, consistent environment. NeurOn-Line's visual programming environment provides pre-defined blocks of neural net paradigms that have been extended with specific features for real-time process control applications. These include: Backprop, Radial Basis Function, Rho, and Autoassociative networks. For more information on Gensym software, visit their home page at http://www.gensym.com.

    NeuFrame, NeuroFuzzy, NeuDesk and NeuRun

       Name: NeuFrame, NeuroFuzzy, NeuDesk and NeuRun
    Company: NCS
    Address: Unit 3
             Lulworth Business Centre
             Totton
             Southampton
             UK
             SO40 3WW
      Phone: +44 (0)1703 667775
        Fax: +44 (0)1703 663730
      Email: robby@ncs-skylake.co.uk
        URL: http://www.demon.co.uk/skylake/software.html

    NeuFrame

    NeuFrame provides an easy-to-use, visual, object-oriented approach to problem solving using intelligence technologies, including neural networks and neurofuzzy techniques. It provides features to enable businesses to investigate and apply intelligence technologies from initial experimentation through to building embedded implementations using software components.

    NeuroFuzzy

    This is an optional module for use within the NeuFrame enviroment. Fuzzy logic differs from neural networks in the sense that neural systems are constructed purely from available data whereas fuzzy systems are expert designed. The relative merits of the two approaches is very much application dependent as it relies on the availability of training data and expert knowledge. Conventional knowledge based systems can also be used to represent expert knowledge within computer systems, but fuzzy logic provides a richer representation. Benefits include:
    1. Combines the benefits of rule based fuzzy logic and learning from experience of neural networks.
    2. Automatically generate optimised neurofuzzy models.
    3. Encapsulate expert fuzzy knowledge within the model.
    4. Fuzzy models may be modified or created according to the data presented to the network.
    5. Includes a pure Fuzzy logic editor.

    NeuDesk

    NeuDesk 2 makes the implementation of a neural network solution very accessible. Running within the Windows 3 environment, NeuDesk 2 is easy for non-specialists to use. Data required for training the neural network can be entered manually, by cut and paste from any other Windows application, or imported from a number of different file formats. Training the network is achieved by a few straightforward point-and-click operations.

    NeuRun

    NeuRun provides for the embedding of intelligence technologies developed in NeuFrame or NeuDesk to be embedded into other programs and environments. NeuRun simplifies and speeds up the process of embedding neural networks in your favourite Windows applications to provide on-line intelligence for decisions, predictions, suggestions or classifications. Implementations are easy to duplicate and deploy and can be readily updated if the problem conditions change over time. Typical of the application programs that can be enhanced using NeuRun 3 are: Excel, Microsoft's spreadsheet for creating powerful data manipulations and analysis applications and Visual Basic which can be used to generate user defined screens and functions for custom operator interfaces, data entry forms, control panels etc.

    OWL Neural Network Library (TM)

       Name: OWL Neural Network Library (TM)
    Company: HyperLogic Corporation
    Address: PO Box 300010
             Escondido, CA 92030
             USA
      Phone: +1 619-746-2765 
        Fax: +1 619-746-4089
      Email: prodinfo@hyperlogic.com 
        URL: http://www.hyperlogic.com/hl
    The OWL Neural Network Library provides a set of popular networks in the form of a programming library for C or C++ software development. The library is designed to support engineering applications as well as academic research efforts.

    A common programming interface allows consistent access to the various paradigms. The programming environment consists of functions for creating, deleting, training, running, saving, and restoring networks, accessing node states and weights, randomizing weights, reporting the complete network state in a printable ASCII form, and formatting detailed error message strings.

    The library includes 20 neural network paradigms, and facilitates the construction of others by concatenation of simpler networks. Networks included are:

    Supported Environments:
    The object code version of OWL is provided on MS-DOS format diskettes with object libraries and makefiles for both Borland and Microsoft C. An included Windows DLL supports OWL development under Windows. The package also includes Owgraphics, a mouseless graphical user interface support library for DOS.
    Both graphical and "stdio" example programs are included.
    The Portable Source Code version of OWL compiles without change on many hosts, including VAX, UINX, and Transputer. The source code package includes the entire object-code package.

    Price:
    USA and Canada: (US) $295 object code, (US) $995 with source
    Outside USA and Canada: (US) $350 object code, (US) $1050 with source
    Shipping, taxes, duties, etc., are the responsibility of the customer.

    Neural Connection

        Name: Neural Connection
     Company: SPSS Inc.
     Address: 444 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
       Phone: 1-800-543-2185
              1-312-329-3500 (U.S. and Canada)
         Fax: 1-312-329-3668 (U.S. and Canada)
       Email: sales@spss.com
         URL: http://www.spss.com
    
    SPSS has offices worldwide.  For inquiries outside the U.S. and Canada, 
    please contact the U.S. office to locate the office nearest you.
    
    Operating system   : Microsoft Windows 3.1 (runs in Windows 95)
    System requirements: 386 pc or better, 4 MB memory (8MB recommended), 4 MB 
    free hard disk space, VGA or SVGA monitor, Mouse or other pointing device, 
    Math coprocessor strongly recommended
    Price: $995, academic discounts available
    
    Description
    Neural Connection is a graphical neural network tool which uses an
    icon-based workspace for building models for prediction, classification,
    time series forecasting and data segmentation.  It includes extensive
    data management capabilities so your data preparation is easily done
    right within Neural Connection.  Several output tools give you the
    ability to explore your models thoroughly so you understand your
    results.
    
    Modeling and Forecasting tools
    * 3 neural network tools: Multi-Layer Perceptron, Radial Basis Function, 
      Kohonen network
    * 3 statistical analysis tools: Multiple linear regression, Closest 
      class means classifier, Principal component analysis
    
    Data Management tools
    * Filter tool: transformations, trimming, descriptive statistics, 
      select/deselect variables for analysis, histograms
    * Time series window: single- or multi-step prediction, adjustable step 
      size
    * Network combiner
    * Simulator
    * Split dataset: training, validation and test data
    * Handles missing values
    
    Output Options
    * Text output: writes ASCII and SPSS (.sav) files, actual values, 
      probabilities, classification results table, network output
    * Graphical output: 3-D contour plot, rotation capabilties, WhatIf? tool 
      includes interactive sensititivity plot, cross section, color contour
      plot
    * Time series plot
    
    Production Tools
    * Scripting language for batch jobs and interactive applications
    * Scripting language for building applications
    
    Documentation
    * User s guide includes tutorial, operations and algorithms
    * Guide to neural network applications
    
    Example Applications
    * Finance - predict account attrition
    * Marketing - customer segmentation
    * Medical - predict length of stay in hospital
    * Consulting - forecast construction needs of federal court systems
    * Utilities - predict number of service requests
    * Sales - forecast product demand and sales
    * Science - classify climate types
    
    

    Pattern Recognition Workbench Expo/PRO/PRO+

    Name: Pattern Recognition Workbench Expo/PRO/PRO+
    Company: Unica Technologies, Inc.
    Address: 55 Old Bedford Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773 USA
    Phone, Fax: (617) 259-5900, (617) 259-5901
    Email: unica@unica-usa.com

    Basic capabilities:

    Operating system: Windows 3.1, WFW 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT (16- and 32-bit versions available)

    System requirements: Intel 486+, 8+ MB memory, 5+ MB disk space

    Approx. price: software starts at $995.00 (call for more info)
    Solving Pattern Recognition Problems text book: $49.95
    Money-back guarantee

    Comments: Pattern Recognition Workbench (PRW) is a comprehensive environment/tool for solving pattern recognition problems using neural network, machine learning, and traditional statistical technologies. With an intuitive, easy-to-use graphical interface, PRW has the flexibility to address many applications. With features such as automated model generation (via input feature selection and algorithm parameter searches), experiment management, and statistical validation, PRW provides all the necessary tools from formatting and preprocessing your data to setting up, running, and evaluating experiments, to deploying your solution. PRW's automated model generation capability can generate literally hundreds of models, selecting the best ones from a thorough search space, ultimately resulting in better solutions!

    PREVia

    PREVia is a simple Neural Network-based forecasting tool. The current commercial version is available in French and English (the downloadable version is in English). A working demo version of PREVia is available for download at: http://www.elseware-fr.com/prod01.htm. This software is being used mainly in France, by banks and some of the largest investment companies, such as: Banque de France (French Central Bank), AXA Asset Management, Credit Lyonnais Asset Management, Caisse des Depots AM, Banque du Luxembourg and others. In order to enhance the research and applications using PREVia, it has been given free of charge to European Engineering and Business Schools, such as Ecole Centrale Paris, London Business School, EURIA, CEFI, Universite du Luxembourg. Interested universities and schools should contact Elseware at the forementioned page.

    Introducing Previa

    Based on a detailed analysis of the forecasting decision process, Previa was jointly designed and implemented by experts in economics and finance, and neural network systems specialists including both mathematicians and computer scientists. Previa thus enables the experimentation, testing, and validation of numerous models. In a few hours, the forecasting expert can conduct a systematic experimentation, generate a study report, and produce an operational forecasting model. The power of Previa stems from the model type used, i.e., neural networks. Previa offers a wide range of model types, hence allowing the user to create and test several forecasting systems, and to assess each of them with the same set of criteria. In this way, Previa offers a working environment where the user can rationalise his or her decision process. The hardware requirements of Previa are: an IBM-compatible PC with Windows 3.1 (c) or Windows95. For the best performance, an Intel 486DX processor is recommended. Previa is delivered as a shrink-wrapped application software, as well as a dynamic link library (DLL) for the development of custom software. The DLL contains all the necessary functions and data structures to manipulate time series, neural networks, and associated algorithms. The DLL can also be used to develop applications with Visual BasicTM. A partial list of features:
    * Definition of a forecast equation : *
      Definition of the variable to forecast and explanatory variables.
      Automatic harmonisation of the domains and periodicities involved in 
         the equation.
    * Choice of a neuronal model associated with the forecasting equation :  *
      Automatic or manual definition of multi-layered architectures.
      Temporal models with loop-backs of intermediate layers.
    * Fine-tuning of a neuronal model by training *
      Training by gradient back-propagation.
      Automatic simplification of architectures.
      Definition of training objectives by adaptation of the optimisation 
         criterion.
      Definition of model form constraints.
      Graphing of different error criteria.
    * Analysis of a neuronal model: *
      View of Hinton graph associated with each network layer.
      Connection weight editing.
      Calculation of sensitivity and elasticity of the variable to forecast, 
         in relation to the explanatory variables.
      Calculation of the hidden series produced by the neural network.
    * Neural Network-Based Forecasting *
      Operational use of a neural network.
    * Series Analysis *
      Visualisation of a series curve.  Editing of the series values.
      Smoothing (simple, double, Holt & Winters)
      Study of the predictability of a series (fractal dimension)
      Comparison of two series.  Visualisation of X-Y graphs.

    Neural Bench

    Name:    Neural Bench.
    Company: Neural Bench Development.
    Address: 142717, Computer Technology Laboratory, VNIIGAZ, pos. Razvilka,
    Address: Leninsky rajon, Moskovskay oblast, Russia.
    Phone:   7 (095) 355-9191
    Fax:     7 (095) 399-1677
    Email:   develop.nb@vniigaz.com
    URL:     http://www.vniigaz.com/nb/
    Basic capabilities: data processing, train, analysis, statistic,
                        user interface, code generation, Java support...
    Operating system:   Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT
    Neural Bench package includes:

    Trajan 2.0 Neural Network Simulator

    Trajan Software Ltd,
    Trajan House,
    68 Lesbury Close,
    Chester-le-Street,
    Co. Durham,
    DH2 3SR,
    United Kingdom.

     WWW: http://www.trajan-software.demon.co.uk

     Email: andrew@trajan-software.demon.co.uk

     Tel: +44 191 388 5737. (8:00-22:00 GMT).
     
     

    Features.

    Trajan 2.1 Professional is a Windows-based Neural Network includes support for a wide range of Neural Network types, training algorithms, and graphical and statistical feedback on Neural Network performance.

     Features include:

    1. Full 32-bit power. Trajan 2.1 is available in a 32-bit version for use on Windows 95 and Windows NT platforms, supporting virtually-unlimited network sizes (available memory is a constraint). A 16-bit version (network size limited to 8,192 units per layer) is also available for use on Windows 3.1.
    2. Network Architectures. Includes Support for Multilayer Perceptrons, Kohonen networks, Radial Basis Functions, Linear models, Probabilistic and Generalised Regression Neural Networks. Training algorithms include the very fast, modern Levenburg-Marquardt and Conjugate Gradient Descent algorithms, in addition to Back Propagation (with time-dependent learning rate and momentum, shuffling and additive noise), Quick Propagation and Delta-Bar-Delta for Multilayer Perceptrons; K-Means, K-Nearest Neighbour and Pseudo-Inverse techniques for Radial Basis Function networks, Principal Components Analysis and specialised algorithms for Automatic Network Design and Neuro-Genetic Input Selection. Error plotting, automatic cross verification and a variety of stopping conditions are also included.
    3. Custom Architectures. Trajan allows you to select special Activation functions and Error functions; for example, to use Softmax and Cross-entropy for Probability Estimation, or City-Block Error function for reduced outlier-sensitivity. There are also facilities to "splice" networks together and to delete layers from networks, allowing you to rapidly create pre- and post-processing networks, including Autoassociative Dimensionality Reduction networks.
    4. Simple User Interface. Trajan's carefully-designed interface gives you access to large amounts of information using Graphs, Bar Charts and Datasheets. Trajan automatically calculates overall statistics on the performance of networks in both classification and regression. Virtually all information can be transferred via the Clipboard to other Windows applications such as Spreadsheets.
    5. Pre- and Post-processing. Trajan 2.1 supports a range of pre- and post-processing options, including Minimax scaling, Winner-takes-all, Unit-Sum and Unit-Length vector. Trajan also assigns classifications based on user-specified Accept and Reject thresholds.

    6.  

       

    7. Embedded Use. The Trajan Dynamic Link Library gives full programmatic access to Trajan's facilities, including network creation, editing and training. Trajan 2.1 come complete with sample applications written in 'C' and Visual Basic.
    There is also a demonstration version of the Software available; please download this to check whether Trajan 2.1 fulfils your needs.

    DataEngine

       Name: DataEngine, DataEngine ADL, DataEngine V.i
    
    Company: MIT GmbH
    Address: Promenade 9
             52076 Aachen
             Germany
    
      Phone: +49 2408 94580
        Fax: +49 2408 94582
      EMail: mailto:info@mitgmbh.de
        URL: http://www.mitgmbh.de
    
    DataEngine is a software tool for data analysis implementing
    Fuzzy Rule Based Systems, Fuzzy Cluster Methods, Neural Networks,
    and Neural-Fuzzy Systems in combination with conventional methods
    of mathematics, statistics, and signal processing.
    
    DataEngine ADL enables you to integrate classifiers or controllers
    developed with DataEngine into your own software environment.  It
    is offered as a DLL for MS/Windows or as a C++ library for various
    platforms and compilers.
    
    DataEngine V.i is an add-on tool for LabView (TM) that enables you
    to integrate Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks into LabView through
    virtual instruments to build systems for data analysis as well as
    for Fuzzy Control tasks.

    Machine Consciousness Toolbox

    Can a machine help you understand the mechanisms of consciousness?
    A visual, interactive application for investigating artificial consciousness as inspired by the biological brain.
    Free, fully functional, introductory version with user manual and tutorials to download.
    Based on the MAGNUS neural architecture developed at Imperial College, London, UK.
    Developed by Novel Technical Solutions.
    Full information and download from: http://www.sonnet.co.uk/nts

    [Note from FAQ maintainer: While this product explores some of the prerequisites of consciousness in an interesting way, it does not deal with deeper philosophical issues such as qualia.]

    Professional Basis of AI Backprop

    Backprop, rprop, quickprop, delta-bar-delta, supersab, recurrent networks for Windows 95 and Unix/Tcl/Tk. Includes C++ source, examples, hypertext documentation and the ability to use trained networks in C++ programs. $30 for regular people and $200 for businesses and government agencies. For details see: http://www.dontveter.com/probp/probp.html or http://www.unidial.com/~drt/probp/probp.html

    Questions to: Don Tveter, drt@christianliving.net

    STATISTICA: Neural Networks

            Name: STATISTICA: Neural Networks version 4.0
         Company: StatSoft, Inc.
         Address: 2300 E. 14th St.
                  Tulsa, OK  74104
                  USA
           Phone: (918) 749-1119
             Fax: (918) 749-2217
           Email: info@statsoft.com
             URL: http://www.statsoft.com/
    STATISTICA Neural Networks is a comprehensive application capable of designing a wide range of neural network architectures, employing both widely-used and highly-specialized training algorithms. STATISTICA Neural Networks was developed by StatSoft, Inc., the makers of STATISTICA software, and is available and supported through a world-wide network of StatSoft subsidiaries.

    The current version STATISTICA Neural Networks 4.0 offers features such as sophisticated training algorithms, an Intelligent Problem Solver that walks the user step-by-step through the analysis, a Neuro-Genetic Input Selection facility, a large selection of supplementary graphs and statistics (e.g., ROC, Response Surfaces, Sensitivity Analysis, Regression and Classification statistics), complete support for API (Application Programming Interface), and the ability to interface with STATISTICA data files and graphs.

    STATISTICA Neural Networks includes traditional learning algorithms, such as back propagation and sophisticated training algorithms such as Conjugate Gradient Descent and Levenberg-Marquardt iterative procedures. Typically, choosing the right architecture of a neural network is a difficult and time-consuming "trial and error" process, but STATISTICA Neural Networks specifically does this for the user. STATISTICA Neural Networks features an Intelligent Problem Solver that utilizes heuristics and sophisticated optimization strategies to determine the best network architecture and walks the user step-by-step through the analysis. The Intelligent Problem Solver compares different network types (including Linear, Radial Basis Function, Multilayer Perceptron, and Bayesian networks), determines the number of hidden units, and chooses the Smoothing factor for Radial Basis Function networks.

    The process of obtaining the right input variables in exploratory data analysis -- typically the case when neural networks are used -- also is facilitated by STATISTICA Neural Networks. Neuro-Genetic Input Selection procedures aid in determining the input variables that should be used in training the network. It uses an optimization strategy to compare the possible combinations of input variables to determine which set is most effective. STATISTICA Neural Networks offers complete API support so advanced users (or designers of corporate "knowledge seeking" or "data mining" systems) may be able to integrate the advanced computational engines of the Neural Networks module into their custom applications.

    STATISTICA Neural Networks can be used as a stand-alone application or can interface directly with STATISTICA. It reads and writes STATISTICA data files and graphs.

    Braincel (Excel add-in)

            Name: Braincel
         Company: Promised Land Technologies 
         Address: 195 Church Street 11th Floor
                  New Haven, CT 06510
                  USA
           Phone: (800) 243-1806 (Outside USA: (203) 562-7335)
             Fax: (203) 624-0655 
           Email: gideon@miracle.net
             URL: http://www.promland.com/
                  also see http://www.jurikres.com/catalog/ms_bcel.htm
    Braincel is an add-in to Excel using a training method called backpercolation.

    DESIRE/NEUNET

            
            Name: DESIRE/NEUNET
         Company: G.A. and T.M. Korn Industrial Consultants 
         Address: 7750 South Lakeshore Road, # 15
                  Chelan, WA 98816 
                  USA
           Phone: (509) 687-3390
           Email: gatmkorn@aol.com
             URL: http://members.aol.com/gatmkorn
           Price: $ 775 (PC)
                  $ 2700 (SPARCstation)
                  $ 1800 (SPARCstation/educational)
                  Free educational version
    DESIRE (Direct Executing SImulation in REal time) is a completely interactive system for dynamic-system simulation (up to 6,000 differential equations plus up to 20,000 difference equations in scalar or matrix form; 13 integration rules) for control, aerospace, and chemical engineering, physiological modeling, and ecology. Easy programming of multirun studies (statistics, optimization). Complex frequency-response plots, fast Fourier transforms, screen editor, connection to database program.

    DESIRE/NEUNET adds interactive neural-network simulation (to 20,000 interconnections) and fuzzy logic. Simulates complete dynamic systems controlled by neural networks and/or fuzzy logic. Users can develop their own neural networks using an easily readable matrix notation, as in:

     VECTOR layer2= tanh(W * layer1 + bias)
    Over 200 examples include: SCREEN-EDITED PROGRAMS RUN IMMEDIATELY AT HIGH SPEED

    Package includes 2 textbooks by G.A. Korn: "Neural Networks and Fuzzy-logic Control on Personal Computers and Workstations" (MIT Press, 1995), and "Interactive Dynamic-system Simulatiuon under Windows 95 and NT" (Gordon and Breach, 1998). Please see our Web site for complete tables of contents of books, screen shots, list of users: http://members.aol.com/gatmkorn

    Complete educational versions of DESIRE/NEUNET for Windows 95 and NT can now be downloaded FREE as a .zip file which you un-zip to get an automatic INSTALLSHIELD installation program. The educational version is identical to our full industrial version except for smaller data areas (6 instead of 6000 differential equations, smaller neural networks). It will run most examples from both textbooks.

    BioNet Simulator

            Name: BioNet Simulator
         Company: NCSB - Development Ltd.
         Address: 46 Moriah St., Haifa 34572, ISRAEL
           Phone: +972-4-8377449
             Fax: +972-4-8361687
           Email: support@ncsb-bionet.com
             URL: http://www.ncsb-bionet.com
    BioNet Simulator in a Neural Networks Generator implementing innovative biological networks. The product provides a concept of brain-like Neural networks, incorporating many of the significant features of the brain. BioNet Simulator provides possibilities for designing large and complex nets: tens of thousands of cells and hundreds of thousands of connections. It offers a user friendly graphic interface, easy to use wizards and object oriented programming. Facilitates easy designing of large-scale networks, and requires no proficiency in advanced mathematics or programming. Ideal for brain-models simulations. Platforms: Windows 95, Windows NT.

    Viscovery SOMine

                Name: Viscovery SOMine
             Company: eudaptics software gmbh
             Address: Helferstorferstr. 5/8
                      A-1010 Vienna
                      AUSTRIA
               Phone: (+43 1) 532 05 70 
                 Fax: (+43 1) 532 05 70 -21
              e-mail: office@eudaptics.co.at
                 URL: http://www.eudaptics.co.at/
    Operating System: Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0
              Prices: $1495 (commercial),  
                      $695 (non-commercial, i.e. universities)
    Viscovery SOMine is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for exploratory data analysis and data mining. Employing an enhanced version of Self Organizing Maps it puts complex data into order based on its similarity. The resulting map can be used to identify and evaluate the features hidden in the data. The result is presented in a graphical way which allows the user to analyze non-linear relationships without requiring profound statistical knowledge. The system further supports full pre- and postprocessing, cluster search, association/recall, prediction, statistics, filtering, and animated system state monitoring. Through the implementation of techniques such as SOM scaling, the speed in creating maps is increased compared to the original SOM algorithm.

    Download a free evaluation copy from http://www.eudaptics.co.at/demo.htm

    NeuNet Pro

          Name: NeuNet Pro
       Company: CorMac Technologies Inc.
       Address: 34 North Cumberland Street
                Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4L4
                Canada
         Phone: (807) 345-7114
           Fax: (807) 345-7114
         Email: sales@cormactech.com
           URL: http://www.cormactech.com
    NeuNet Pro is a complete neural network development system:

    Neuronics

          Name: NNetView
       Company: Neuronics Inc.
       Address: Technoparkstr. 1
                CH-8005 Zurich Switzerland
         Phone: +41 1 445 16 40
           Fax: +41 1 445 16 44
           URL: http://www.neuronics.com"
    Operating systems: Windows 95/98/NT and on MacOS.
        Prices: 120 EUR for Simulator
                310 EUR for Full version incl. camera- and serial interface
                1260 EUR for Class licence
    NNetView is a simulator for neural networks that allows you to connect the network directly to the video camera input as well as the input/output of the serial port of your PC. In addition, the network can include a free architecture of 2-dimensional layers with connections in all directions. The most interesting feature is that you can combine different standard network types (such as Backpropagation, Hebb, Reinforcement Learning, Kohonen or Hopfield networks). NNetView allows to learn images (such as faces or colored objects) online and to make robots and other machines adaptive.

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