Distributed architecture for a supply chain by integrating a multi- agent approach using simulation

Abstract

This study proposes an architecture based on multiple agents through a Colored Petri Net model (CPN), which enables the integration of supply chain links and information technology to speed up the production process and services. The methodology was developed based on three fundamental concepts: CPN as design tool, Supply Chain (SC) Architecture and Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). As a case study, a typical supply chain in the Colombian production system was considered. As a case study, a typical supply chain in the Colombian production system was considered. For this, the study developed a modeling procedure to transform its supply chain architecture from a typical structure to a multi-agent structure. This procedure consists of seven phases. Initially, the case study is characterized as a supply chain, then the information is collected, next the limitations of the supply chain are identified, then the variables and their interactions are defined. In the following two phases, three models are developed: the structural model, representing the physical distribution of the plant; the conceptual model, that relates the system components and their interactions; and the functional model, which integrates the previous models and associates them with the behavior of the variables during the process ow. Finally, a qualitative and quantitative validation of the models are performed, simulating different scenarios. The results show that a distributed supply chain structure, using multi-agent architecture, first, offers robust information and physical flows, and secondly, contributes to supply time reduction, communication quickness, efficiency and quality of information for operational decision making. The results could also motivate organizations to integrate the supply chains considering MASs in resource management.