This paper provides an introduction to project ADEPT (Advanced Decision Environment for Process Tasks). The project is researching both the technology and the methods that are needed to improve the way information is gathered, managed, distributed and presented to people in key business functions and operations. The paper presents a first-level breakdown of the central architecture concepts that have been emerging during the first six months of the ADEPT project. The use of autonomous agents to provide information services is explored and a language for their communication and representation developed. The work presented here represents only the preliminary steps towards the final architecture and is likely to undergo significant refinement throughout the project life-cycle.