Karl Kurbel

A model for multi-lateral negotiations on an agent-based job marketplace

A model for multi-lateral negotiations of agents with fuzzy constraints on an electronic marketplace for personnel acquisition is presented. First we define negotiation issues, a negotiation protocol, and negotiation strategies for a bilateral negotiation model. Based on the bilateral model, the case of multi-lateral negotiation with multiple negotiation issues is considered. Although the paper deals with the specific situation of an electronic job marketplace, the proposed negotiation model can be used with appropriate modifications for other agent-based e-marketplaces where agents have contradictory aims and negotiation is required.

Towards multi-agent electronic marketplaces: what is there and what is missing?

This paper gives an overview of electronic marketplaces which employ agent technology or similar techniques. Special attention is given to negotiation issues. A classification scheme for competitive negotiation depending on the type of the marketplace (business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer) and on the range of players (1:1, 1:n and n:m) is introduced. Furthermore, we distinguish between one-issue and multi-issue negotiation, and we consider crisp and fuzzy constraints on either negotiating side. Several existing electronic marketplaces and prototypes of marketplaces are discussed with respect to the classification schema. Our analysis shows that agent-based e-marketplaces are a promising area of e-commerce but they are still far away from real marketplaces. In conclusion we formulate some challenges for further research in the field of multi-agent electronic marketplaces with negotiation between agents.

Solving optimization problems by parallel recombinative simulated annealing on a parallel computer-an application to standard cell placement in VLSI design

In this paper, parallel recombinative simulated annealing (PRSA), a hybrid method with features of simulated annealing and genetic algorithms, is examined. PRSA inherits the global convergence property from simulated annealing and the parallelism property from genetic algorithms. PRSA was implemented on a monoprocessor system as well as on a transputer. The algorithm, its parallel implementation, and its application to an NP-hard problem, namely standard cell placement in very large scale integration (VLSI) chip design, are described. PRSA was run for a large range of test cases. Since its performance depends on many parameters, the effects of parameter variations are studied in detail. Some important parameters are migration of individuals to other transputer nodes and selection strategies for constructing new populations. In comparison with simulated annealing and genetic algorithms, PRSA was found to produce better solutions.

An architecture for agent-based mobile Supply Chain Event Management

Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) is an approach aiming to fill the gap between Supply Chain Planning and Supply Chain Execution. The goal of SCEM applications is to monitor the states of supply chains by observing specific events and exceptions in real-time and alerting managers if problems occur. This paper presents an architecture for a mobile SCEM system based on software agents, Auto-ID technologies, and mobile computing. It introduces the main layers and components of this architecture. A special focus is placed on web services, mobile user interfaces, and integration of a multi-agent platform as innovative solutions to improve SCEM.

A Multi-tier Architecture for Mobile Enterprise Resource Planning

Mobile computing is changing the behavior of individuals and also of organizations. Instant access to information is beneficial in many business situations. Consequently, core information systems like ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems that today’s organizations rely on have to support the mobile behavior of their users. We discuss some architectural considerations for mobile applications and introduce a multi-tier architecture for a mobile ERP system. Two key questions to answer are how to access content of an ERP database from a mobile device, and how to make that content available to a mobile user no matter which device he or she is using. A prototypical implementation based on a real ERP system is described. Open questions and issues for further research are discussed in the concluding section.

Service-Oriented Architecture Supporting Mobile Access to an ERP System

With the emergence of Web Services application vendors and organizations with heterogeneous software architectures have started to move towards Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs). In a SOA, software functionalities are represented as discoverable services that are accessed through a network. SOA is a promising approach for Enterprise Application Integration problems. As computing becomes ubiquitous and users are supported by a wide range of mobile devices, enterprises have to think about integrating mobile clients into a SOA. We introduce an architecture that supports communication between mobile devices and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems equipped with a Web Services Facade. Theoretical foundations of Web Services and SOA and a prototypical implementation of mobile Web Services for an ERP system are discussed.

Integrating intelligent job-scheduling into a real-world production-scheduling system

The paper addresses the problem of scheduling production orders (jobs). First, an approach based on simulated annealing and Hopfield nets is described. Since performance was unsatisfactory for real-world applications, we changed the problem representation and tuned the scheduling method, dropping features of the Hopfield net and retaining simulated annealing. Both computing time and solution quality were significantly improved. The scheduling method was then integrated into a software system for short-term production planning and control (‘electronic leitstand’). The paper describes how real-world requirements are met, and how the scheduling method interacts with the leitstands database and graphical representation of schedules.

Current and Future Trends

Throughout this book, methodological and technological approaches to enterprise resource planning and supply chain management have been presented. Most of these approaches are supported by current ERP and SCM systems and are implemented today in many companies.

FuzzyMAN: An Agent-Based Electronic Marketplace with a Multilateral Negotiation Protocol

In this paper, conceptual foundations, the architecture, and the implementation of an agent-based electronic marketplace, FuzzyMAN (Fuzzy Multi-Agent Negotiations) are presented. Software agents on that marketplace negotiate about multiple issues according to a multilateral negotiation protocol. This protocol is based on a sequence of bilateral negotiations and on a pre-selection procedure which chooses suitable partners for negotiations first. Special attention is given to the feature that the agents’ preferences are expressed in fuzzy terms. The application domain for our exemplary implementation is buying and selling “labor”. Agents act on behalf of employers (looking for employees) and employees (looking for jobs). A mediator agent in FuzzyMAN supervises and coordinates the actions on the marketplace. Characteristics of the architecture and its implementation are described. Open research questions are discussed in the final section.

Distributed Information Systems in Business

From the Publisher: This book gives answers to the question how distributed information systems can serve management, especially lean management. The authors develop new theoretical insights for the future of decentralized firms and offer concepts for creating and maintaining distributed information systems. The book contains interesting prototypes in logistics and financial industries and shows designs and applications of workflow systems. It offers a state-of-the-art survey of the subject.