Multi-agent system framework for agile logistics in e-business (ID:F-061)

In an e-business environment, the agile logistics (AL) is based on control of logistics processes by the requested services themselves, which create their own agents, made responsible for realizing the service in the best possible way under changing circumstances. Beginning with an analysis of correlative concepts and characters of the AL in e-business, this paper presents modularized multi-agent system framework for agile logistics with multi-agent system (MAS) thoughts and gives modularized description. Six intelligent agents, coordinate decision centre agent, dynamic alliance management agent, logistics service management agent, technique support agent, customer requirement management agent, and cooperation relation management agent are designed to form an e-business based on agile logistics which, with the collaboration of the six agents, could construct a virtual private logistics teamwork suitable for a certain customer's need and furthermore, realize the win - win between the customer and the logistics service vendor. Finally, by the information flow chart, this paper describes the transferring process of information flow among multi-agents to explain the operation process of the AL system with multi-agent.