Towards Software Mass Customization for Business Collaboration

Supply chains are being transformed into agile networks in response the increasing volatility of business environments. The dynamic nature of business collaboration in such networks imposes stringent demands on the enabling software systems. This paper proposes the application of a mass customization approach to meet the great demands on software systems for business collaboration in agile business networks. We first introduce the concept of mass customization and define requirements for software mass customization. Next, the paper presents a Future Internet platform - called FIspace - for business to business collaboration that is currently being developed within Europe's Future Internet Public-Private Partnership program (FI-PPP) and that aims to provide an environment for software mass customization for business collaboration in the agriculture, food and logistics sectors.