An ontology based approach to organize multi-agent assisted supply chain negotiations

Effective supply chain management (SCM) comprises activities involving the demand and supply of resources and services. Negotiation is an essential approach to solve conflicting transaction and scheduling problems among supply chain members. The multi-agent system (MAS) technology has provided the potential of automating supply chain negotiations to alleviate human interactions. Software agents are supposed to perform on behalf of their human owners only when equipped with sophisticated negotiation knowledge. To better organize the negotiation knowledge utilized by agents and facilitate agents’ adaptive negotiation decision making ability, an ontology-based approach is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the multi-agent assisted supply chain negotiation scheme is presented to configure the general design components of the negotiation system, covering the agent intelligence modules, the knowledge organization method and the negotiation protocol. Then, the ontology-based negotiation knowledge organization method is specified. The negotiation knowledge is separated into shared negotiation ontology and private negotiation ontology to ensure both the agent communicative interoperability and the privacy of strategic knowledge. Inference rules are defined on top of the private negotiation ontology to guide agents’ reasoning ability. Through this method, agents’ negotiation behaviors will be more adaptive to various negotiation environments utilizing corresponding negotiation knowledge.     

Context-aware workflow management for virtual enterprises based on coordination of agents

Although virtual enterprises (VE) make it possible for small flexible enterprises to form a collaborative network to respond to business opportunities through dynamic coalition and sharing of the core competencies and resources, they also pose new challenges and issues. Creation of VE involves dynamically established partnerships between the partners and relies on a flexible coordination scheme. The dynamic organizations formed in VE present a challenge in the development of a new methodology to dynamically allocate re-sources and deliver the relevant information to the right people at the right time. A key issue is the development of an effective workflow management scheme for VE. Multi-agent systems (MAS) provide a flexible architecture to deal with changes based on dynamic organization and collaboration of autonomous agents. Despite the extensive studies and research results on MAS, development of a design methodology to support coordination and operations is critical to the success and adoption of VE. The objectives of this research are to propose a design methodology to facilitate coordination and development of context-aware workflow management systems and achieve effective resource allocation for VE based on MAS architecture. To achieve these objectives, a scheme for coordination of agents is proposed. Petri net models are used in the coordination scheme to describe workflows and capture resource activities in VE. The interactions between agents lead to a dynamic workflow model for VE. Based on the aforementioned model, we propose architecture to dynamically generate context-aware graphical user interface to guide the users and control resource allocation based on the state of VE. An order management example is used throughout this paper to illustrate the proposed design methodology.     

Ontologies for supporting negotiation in e-commerce

In this paper we present our experience in applying Semantic Web technology to automated negotiation. This result is a novel approach to automated negotiation, that is particularly suitable to open environments such as the Internet. In this approach, agents can negotiate in any type of marketplace regardless of the negotiation mechanism in use. In order to support a wide variety of negotiation mechanisms, protocols are not hard-coded in the agents participating to negotiations, but are expressed in terms of a shared ontology, thus making this approach particularly suitable for applications such as electronic commerce. The paper describes a novel approach to negotiation, where the negotiation protocol does not need to be hard-coded in agents, but it is represented by an ontology: an explicit and declarative representation of the negotiation protocol. In this approach, agents need very little prior knowledge of the protocol, and acquire this knowledge directly from the marketplace. The ontology is also used to tune agents’ strategies to the specific protocol used. The paper presents this novel approach and describes the experience gained in implementing the ontology and the learning mechanism to tune the strategy.     

基于多AGENT的虚拟企业伙伴选择系统

伙伴选择是虚拟企业建立过程中的核心问题。在基于多agent的虚拟企业体系结构基础上,通过本体驱动的虚拟企业目标体系描述与分解,将虚拟企业伙伴选择问题表示为分布式约束满足和优化问题,并进一步以agent谈判的方式来求解该问题,最终得到优化的伙伴选择方案。本体驱动的虚拟企业目标描述与分解方法,为不同企业之间的谈判提供了通用词汇;用分布式约束满足和优化的方法对问题进行形式化描述,可以为企业之间的谈判提供论域和决策支持。分布式约束满足和优化方法的应用,为解决虚拟企业伙伴选择问题提供了一种新思路。     

An ontological intelligent agent platform to establish an ecological virtual enterprise

A virtual enterprise (VE) is a dynamic alliance of companies collaborating for the accomplishment of a specific business goal. To establish a VE, it is very important for the VE initiator to select appropriate partners. General criteria such as price, lead time, quality, etc. are the major concerns for most VE initiators. However, in today’s environmentally conscious society, environmental issues such as enterprise green image, product eco-design, etc. are increasingly receiving attention. Thus, it is worth to research on how to select the appropriate collaborative partners to establish an ecological VE.The objective of this paper is to establish a multi-agent system platform for individual companies to form an ecological VE based on ontology theory and intelligent agents. The ontological approaches include shared ontology construction, ontology matching, ontology integration, ontology storage and ontology reasoning. In the generalized case that the VE initiator is a manufacturer and the collaborating partner are suppliers, the multi-agent system comprises three types of intelligent agents, namely, knowledge manager agent (KMrA), manufacturer agent (MA) and supplier agent (SA). MA and SA represent the capabilities and interests of the VE initiator and the VE partners, respectively. KMrA is in charge of functioning sub-tasks of the ontological approach. To select partners for the ecological VE, the VE initiator will also consider the environmental criteria, in addition to the general supplier selection criteria such as price, quantity, quality and lead time. The environmental criteria may include factors such as environmental management, green image, green product and pollution control. The complete set of selection criteria, including the environmental criteria, are categorised into quantitative or qualitative criteria. The formation of ecological VE is then divided into two stages, that is, candidate supplier selection based on qualitative criteria, and ultimate supplier selection based on quantitative criteria. A simplified example is introduced to illustrate and justify the proposed ontological approaches and intelligent agent platform.     

Negotiation in a multi-agent system for construction claims negotiation

Negotiation is an important approach for agents to co-operate and reach agreement in multiagent systems (MAS). Different negotiation theories and models have been deployed in a variety of applications. This paper is concerned with the applicability of these theories to the domain of agent-based construction claims negotiation. The peculiarities of this domain are highlighted and the approach adopted in the development of a multi-agent system for construction claims negotiation (MASCOT) described. Of particular interest is the integration of Zeuthen's bargaining model with a Bayesian learning mechanism, which addresses the characeristics of the construction claims negotiation. Examples are presented to demonstrate the impact of various negotiation approaches on the conduct and outcome of construction claims negotiations.     

基于SOA的多Agent协商服务及其应用

在简述一种融合了面向服务架构和多Agent协商系统特点的新的协商模型——基于面向服务架构的多Agent协商模型的基础上，设计了该协商模型的多Agent协商服务端，阐述了Agent中协商推理机在协商中的基本过程。面向服务架构的协商服务端与协商Agent管理平台组合起来，搭建起支持开放环境并开展协商的软件应用环境，实现了基于面向服务架构的多Agent协商模型在电子商务中的 应用。     

A dynamic scheme for scheduling complex tasks in manufacturing systems based on collaboration of agents

The characteristics of scheduling tasks in the real world is a dynamic and challenging issue as the processes and the companies involved may change from time to time. For small flexible enterprises to respond to business opportunities, an effective scheme to facilitate dynamic coalition, share the core competencies and resources and support inter-enterprise collaboration must be developed. Although multi-agent systems (MAS) provide a paradigm for modeling these characteristics, scheduling tasks in MAS is a complex problem due to the computational complexity involved, distributed architecture for scheduling tasks by individual agents and dependency of different agents’ workflows. How to develop a problem solver that can be applied in MAS to achieve coherent and consistent workflow schedules that can meet a customer’s order is an important issue. In this paper, we propose a solution methodology for scheduling workflows in MAS. Our solution combines the multi-agent system architecture to dynamically discover services, workflow and activity models to specify the capabilities of agents, contract net protocol to facilitate negotiation and coordination of agents and optimization theories to optimize the cost for fulfilling an order. A problem solver for scheduling tasks in MAS has been implemented. An application scenario has also been provided to verify our solution methodology.     

面向服务的知识发现体系结构研究与实现

知识发现服务(Knowledge Discovery Service,KDS)作为一种数据、计算、语义密集型的高层服务应用。用户通常需要具备非常全面的知识才能正确使用．如何实现一个面向最终用户的、智能的、有质量保证的KDS架构面临很多困难．现有的研究提出了利用数据挖掘本体和预测执行时间的方法来帮助用户选择正确并且高质量的KDS．但是数据挖掘本体只是对数据挖掘的方法进行枚举,无法保证服务的质量,而预测执行时间的方法不能体现KDS本身的特点,因而难以获得满意的服务效果．为了更有效地辅助最终用户在面向服务的体系结构(Service Oriented Architecture,SOA)上自助地实现知识发现应用,该文提出了一种新的面向服务的知识发现体系结构——SOA4KD,将用户的知识发现需求分为内容需求和质量需求,并提出了扩展的知识发现任务本体EKDTO。以自然语言的方式进行用户意图获取;在考虑到KDS的服务特性的前提下,充分分析了KDS自身的特点,提出了KDS质量本体KDSQO,采用元学习来进行选择最适合的KDS．相对于目前的体系结构,提出了为最终用户提供高质量知识发现服务的一些新方法和技术,为面向服务的知识发现系统设计与实现提供了一个新的参考模型．     

Multi-attribute negotiation mechanism for manufacturing service allocation in smart manufacturing

Smart manufacturing is undergoing rapid development along with many disruptive technologies, such as Internet of Things, cyber-physical system and cloud computing. A myriad of heterogeneous manufacturing services can be dynamically perceived, connected and interoperated to satisfy various customized demands. In smart manufacturing, the market equilibrium is variable over time due to changes in demand and supply. Thus, efficient manufacturing service allocation (MSA) is critical to implementation of smart manufacturing. This paper considers the MSA problem under market dynamics with maximization of utility of customers and service providers. Many conventional methods generally allocate manufacturing services to the customers by multi-objective optimization without considering the impact of interactions between customers and service providers. This paper presents a multi-attribute negotiation mechanism to address the MSA problem under time constraints relying on autonomous agents. The proposed negotiation mechanism is composed of two models: an atomic manufacturing service negotiation model and a composite manufacturing service coordination. The former model is based on automated negotiation to seek an atomic manufacturing service over multiple attributes for an individual subtask. The latter model incorporates the global distribution and surplus redistribution to coordinate and control multiple atomic manufacturing service negotiations for the whole manufacturing task. Numerical studies are employed to verify the effectiveness of the multi-attribute negotiation mechanism in solving the MSA problem. The results show that the proposed negotiation mechanism can address the MSA problem and surplus redistribution can effectively improve the success rate of negotiations.     

Combined Negotiations in E-Commerce: Concepts and Architecture

Combined Negotiations are a novel and general type of negotiation, in which the user is interested in many goods or services and consequently engages in many negotiations at the same time. The negotiations are independent of each other, whereas the goods or services are typically interdependent. Using currently available technology for electronic negotiations, the user conducts each negotiation separately, and has the burden of coordinating and reconciling them. The inherent complexity of combined negotiations in B2C as well as B2B e-commerce calls for software support.In our research, we aim to devise a Combined Negotiation Support System (CNSS) to help the user conduct all the negotiations at the same time. The CNSS enables the user to control and monitor the progress of the negotiations, makes sure that the specified dependencies are respected, and applies user-defined strategy rules. We have designed such a CNSS which we call CONSENSUS. The architecture of CONSENSUS relies on workflow technology, negotiating software agents, and rule engine technology. The originality of this architecture lies in the fact that the user of CONSENSUS models the combined negotiation at build time using a workflow that captures the sequencing of the individual negotiations and the dependencies between them. At runtime, software agents are assigned to individual negotiations, and they participate in the combined negotiation as actors in the workflow. The user can monitor the progress of the combined negotiation as a whole, and the progress of individual negotiations via dedicated graphical user interfaces. We rely on rule engine technology to enable the agents to use negotiation strategies.The paper introduces combined negotiations with a usage scenario. Then, combined negotiations are detailed, along with the approach taken to cope with their complexity. Afterwards, we describe the functionality a CNSS should provide, and present the architecture of CONSENSUS, together with a discussion of the underlying concepts and technologies. Furthermore, we report on our prototype implementation of CONSENSUS and illustrate it with an example. A discussion of related and future work concludes the paper.     

基于领域本体的数据挖掘服务发现算法

随着数据库的广泛应用,数据挖掘技术面临数据的海量化、分布化问题。采用面向服务的架构构造数据挖掘系统是解决该问题的方法之一。提出一种基于领域本体的数据挖掘服务发现算法,通过引入领域知识,定义数据挖掘本体,有效地解决了数据挖掘服务发现问题。首先给出了结合领域知识的数据挖掘服务发现框架,提出了数据挖掘方法本体和质量本体的定义,并给出了根据领域知识及用户需求进行数据挖掘服务发现的算法,为数据挖掘服务选择提供了较为完善的方案。     

基于服务交换的网格资源分配模型

在以服务为核心的网格计算体系结构中,为了实现信任域之间安全任务调度,服务和用户被赋予信任度标签,利用置信度策略成为解决网格计算资源调度安全的一种手段。基于面向服务体系结构,提出了一种服务资源交换协商的参考模型,来解决跨信任域的服务请求和响应问题。文中首先列举了相关的概念,给出参考模型结构,阐述了跨信任域的服务交换协商安全步骤,最后指出了该参考模型中面临的两个重要问题,为进一步研究基于服务交换的网格服务资源分配模型设定方向。     

A novel approach for multi-agent-based Intelligent Manufacturing System

In the recent years, the competition of shortening the development cycle of new products is more and more fierce. Given the shortcomings of traditional scheduling algorithm in Intelligent Manufacturing, the architecture of multi-agent-based Intelligent Manufacturing System is put forward, which represents the basic processing entity. The architecture is based on the methodology of multi-agent systems (MAS) in distributed artificial intelligence (DAI). The multi-agent system has some common characteristics, such as distribution, autonomy, interaction and openness, which are helpful to transform the traditional architecture into a distributed and cooperative architecture in an Intelligent Manufacturing System. To develop a multi-agent-based scheduling system for Intelligent Manufacturing, it is necessary to build various functional agents for all the resources and an agent manager to improve the scheduling agility. In this paper, the proposed architecture consists of various autonomous agents that are capable of communicating with each other and making decisions based on their knowledge. The architecture of Intelligent Manufacturing, the scheduling optimization algorithm, the negotiation processes and protocols among the agents are described in detail. A prototype system is built and validated in an illustrative example, which demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach. The experiments prove that the implementation of multi-agent technology in Intelligent Manufacturing System makes the operations much more flexible, economical and energy-efficient.     

Towards a web services and intelligent agents-based negotiation system for B2B eCommerce

With the explosive growth of the number of transactions conducted via electronic channels, there is a pressing need for the development of intelligent support tools to improve the degree and sophistication of automation for eCommerce. With reference to the BBT business model, negotiation is one of key steps for B2B eCommerce. Nevertheless, classical negotiation models are ineffective for supporting multi-agent multi-issue negotiations often encountered in eBusiness environment. The first contribution of this paper is the exploitation of Web services and intelligent agent techniques for the design and development of a distributed service discovery and negotiation system to streamline B2B eCommerce. In addition, an effective and efficient integrative negotiation mechanism is developed to conduct multi-party multi-issue negotiations for B2B eCommerce. Finally, an empirical study is conducted to evaluate our intelligent agents-based negotiation mechanism and to compare the negotiation performance of our software agents with that of their human counterparts. Our research work opens the door to the development of the next generation of intelligent system solutions to support B2B eCommerce.     

Agent negotiation based ontology refinement process and mechanisms for service applications

Nowadays organisations are willing to outsource their business processes as services and make them accessible via the Web. In doing so, they can dynamically combine individual services to their service applications. However, unless the data on the Web can be meaningfully shared and is interpretable, this objective cannot be realised. In this paper, a new agent-based approach for managing ontology evolution in a Web services environment is exploited. The proposed approach has several key characteristics such as flexibility and extensibility that differentiate this research from others. The refinement mechanisms which cope with an evolving ontology are carefully examined. The novelty of our work is that inter-processes between different ontologies are studied from the agent’s perspective. Based on this perspective, an agent negotiation model is applied to reach an agreement regarding ontology discrepancy in an application. The efficiency and effectiveness of reaching an agreement over an ontology dispute is leveraged by the private negotiation strategy applied in the argumentation approach. An extended negotiation strategy is discussed to enable sufficient information in decision making at each negotiation round. A case study is presented to demonstrate ontology refinement in a Web services environment.     

Efficient Management of Multi-Linked Negotiation Based on a Formalized Model

A Multi-linked negotiation problem occurs when an agent needs to negotiate with multiple other agents about different subjects (tasks, conflicts, or resource requirements), and the negotiation over one subject has influence on negotiations over other subjects. The solution of the multi-linked negotiations problem will become increasingly important for the next generation of advanced multi-agent systems. However, most current negotiation research looks only at a single negotiation and thus does not present techniques to manage and reason about multi-linked negotiations. In this paper, we first present a technique based on the use of a partial-order schedule and a measure of the schedule, called flexibility, which enables an agent to reason explicitly about the interactions among multiple negotiations. Next, we introduce a formalized model of the multi-linked negotiation problem. Based on this model, a heuristic search algorithm is developed for finding a near-optimal ordering of negotiation issues and their parameters. Using this algorithm, an agent can evaluate and compare different negotiation approaches and choose the best one. We show how an agent uses this technology to effectively manage interacting negotiation issues. Experimental work is presented which shows the efficiency of this approach.     

基于MVC架构文档报表管理系统的设计与实现

根据公司对文档报表管理的实际需求,通过对某房地产评估公司的日常报告文档管理的各方面的需求分析,将系统的需求抽象化、模块化、系统化,利用.NET开发平台MVC架构实现了报告信息管理、数据维护管理、公司收据和报告文档管理等功能,实现了管理文档的规范化和信息化,提高公司管理文档信息的工作质量、管理水平,为用户提供更为方便快捷的服务。     

基于SOA的广电综合接入网关(IAG)的设计

给出了一套面向服务架构(SOA)理念的广电运营综合接入网关(IAG)的设计方法。该方法利用SOA可重构、松耦合和标准化接口的特点,将SOA应用系统的思想应用于综合接入网关设计中。文章以江苏有线云媒体电视统一业务管理平台为例,介绍了其关键部件IAG的总体架构、内部模块功能、工作流程和已封装能力等设计内容,同时提出了SOA在IAG中应用的两个方面。