The SAGE workbench is a complete, self-contained environment. The authoring tool, based on Protégé version 3.1, is included in the download package. Three demonstration guideline knowledge bases are also included - for immunization, diabetes, and community-acquired pneumonia.

The user interface for the SAGE Workbench is organized as a number of tabs. Patient cases can be run against the three available demonstration knowledge bases through the SAGE execution tab.

The SAGE website provides a description of the method for encoding SAGE guideline applications as well as full documentation on all the software modules making up the package. The SAGE workbench is designed for use on MS Windows computers - a README file is provided to help installation.

The SAGE workbench includes a terminology plug-in (the SAGE DTS tab) which accesses via the internet the Apelon DTS (Distributed Terminology System) terminology service (developed by Apelon, Inc., USA). This plug-in allows users to view standard and SAGE-based terminologies, do concept queries, and view complex logical concept expressions. The Apelon DTS utilizes client-server technology and access to this functionality requires the user to log in to the DTS server. Note that it is not necessary to access Apelon's terminology service in order to use the workbench or run the demonstration guidelines.

Apelon curently provides a one-time license for SAGE workbench evaluators which provides users with a general DTS user ID and password. This will expire at some point when users will have to contact Apelon for individual IDs and passwords to access the service.