Multi-site coordination using a multi-agent system

Abstract

A new approach of coordination of decisions in a multi site system is proposed. It is based this approach on a multi-agent concept and on the principle of distributed network of enterprises. For this purpose, each enterprise is defined as autonomous and performs simultaneously at the local and global levels.The basic component of our approach is a so-called Virtual Enterprise Node (VEN), where the enterprise network is represented as a set of tiers (like in a product breakdown structure). Within the network, each partner constitutes a VEN, which is in contact with several customers and suppliers. Exchanges between the VENs ensure the autonomy of decision, and guarantiee the consistency of information and material flows. Only two complementary VEN agents are necessary: one for external interactions, the Negotiator Agent (NA) and one for the planning of internal decisions, the Planner Agent (PA).If supply problems occur in the network, two other agents are defined: the Tier Negotiator Agent (TNA) working at the tier level only and the Supply Chain Mediator Agent (SCMA) working at the level of the enterprise network. These two agents are only active when the perturbation occurs. Otherwise, the VENs process the flow of information alone.With this new approach, managing enterprise network becomes much more transparent and looks like managing a simple enterprise in the network. The use of a Multi-Agent System (MAS) allows physical distribution of the decisional system, and procures a heterarchical organization structure with a decentralized control that guaranties the autonomy of each entity and the flexibility of the network.

Decentralized supply chain planning framework for third party logistics partnership

“…Some researchers attempted to build the framework of decentralized decision making with multi-agent systems. Their work defined an overall architecture, internal functions, and necessary information for agent-based supply chain coordination systems (Fox, Barbuceanu, & Teigen, 2000;Monteiro, Roy, & Anciaux, 2007;Sadeh, Hildum, Kjenstad, & Tseng, 2001;Schneeweiss, 2003;Shen, Hao, Yoon, & Norrie, 2006;Swaminathan, Smith, & Sadeh, 1998). However, to the best of our knowledge, we cannot find any research papers which address the development of multi-agent systems for solving the operation problems under the 3PL environment like our paper.…”

Agent-based negotiation and decision making for dynamic supply chain formation

“…Other related work includes job-shop scheduling in production and supply chains, where constraint logic programming and advanced planning and scheduling have been used to deal with scheduling problems (Fox et al, 2000;Baumgaertel and John, 2003;Monteiro et al, 2007;Moyaux et al, 2007). In relation to this, recent studies have placed more emphasis on complexity and dynamics of supply chains and development of networks of distributed and cooperative entities to improve agility and global performance of supply chains (Lendermann et al, 2001;Caridi and Cavalieri, 2004).…”

The Next Generation Demand Network in Quick Response Systems: Intelligent Products, Packet Switching and Dynamic Information

“…Nissen (2001) describes a design for agent federation where the agent activities are defined using a Petri-net based approach. Monteiro et al (2007) describe an architecture based on "virtual enterprise nodes" to distribute decision making in a multi-site system where each VEN is implemented using two types of agent.…”