Mikhail Pashkin

Knowledge source network configuration approach to knowledge logistics

Today multidisciplinary real-world problem solving requires an intensive knowledge integration and exchange between participants of the global information environment. Along with a large number of available distributed knowledge sources (KSs) this has led to the appearance of a new direction in knowledge management called knowledge logistics (KL). The paper describes a KSNet-approach, being developed to build an intelligent support system addressing problems of KL through knowledge fusion (KF). The approach is mainly based on such technologies as ontology management and intelligent agents. In the KSNet-approach, a multi-agent system architecture based on FIPA Reference Model was chosen as a technological basis for definition of agent properties and functions and FIPA ontology definition was used for knowledge representation. As a general model of ontology representation the object-oriented constraint network paradigm was proposed. The most important ideas of the proposed KSNet-approach were implemented and verified via a developed software prototype of the system “KSNet”.

Agent-based support of mass customization for corporate knowledge management

Abstract The paper describes an agent-based architecture developed as a part of the KSNet-approach to the knowledge logistics. This approach is targeted to timely provide an appropriate personalized knowledge for an intelligent support of decision-makers. In the KSNet-approach the problem of knowledge logistics is considered as a configuration of a network of end-users/customers, loosely coupled knowledge sources/resources, and set of tools and methods for information processing. Such network located in the information environment has been referred to as knowledge source network or “KSNet”. The paper presents this approach from the perspective of application of the mass customization idea to corporate knowledge management as a major information kernel technology of intelligent enterprises. As an example of intelligent enterprise the paper considers virtual supply network. Main ideas of the KSNet-approach are presented and the structure of the developed agents’ society is described in more detail. Main results are illustrated via a configuration case study and discussed in conclusions.

Ontology-based users and requests clustering in customer service management system

Customer Service Management is one of major business activities to better serve company customers through the introduction of reliable processes and procedures. Today this kind of activities is implemented through e-services to directly involve customers into business processes. Traditionally Customer Service Management involves application of data mining techniques to discover usage patterns from the company knowledge memory. Hence grouping of customers/requests to clusters is one of major technique to improve the level of company customization. The goal of this paper is to present an efficient for implementation approach for clustering users and their requests. The approach uses ontology as knowledge representation model to improve the semantic interoperability between units of the company and customers. Some fragments of the approach tested in an industrial company are also presented in the paper.

Fusion-based knowledge logistics for intelligent decision support in network-centric environment

An efficient knowledge sharing between multiple participating parties is required to provide for situation awareness and consequently to manage any networked organization. Thereby, it is necessary that the right knowledge from distributed sources is integrated and transferred to the right person within the right context at the right time to the right purpose. The aggregate of these interrelated activities is referred to as knowledge logistics (KL). The paper presents an approach that implements KL for an intelligent decision support. The approach assumes an ontological knowledge representation model based on the paradigm of object-oriented constraint networks. This makes it possible to perform problem solving by directly extracting slices of the common ontology and putting them into constraint solvers such as ILOG. Humanitarian relief operations are considered here as one of the approach applications what is illustrated via a case study of on-the-fly portable hospital configuration.

Multi-agent Architecture for Knowledge Fusion from Distributed Sources

Current trends require using a global information environment (infosphere), including end-users and loosely coupled knowledge sources (experts, knowledge bases, repositories, documents, etc.), for decision-making. The vast diversity of the knowledge source management tools has made the problem of knowledge fusion from infospheres distributed knowledge sources actual. Knowledge logistics as a new direction of knowledge management assumes presence of fusion processes. The paper is devoted to multi-agent architecture organisation principles and properties of the systems dealing with knowledge fusion from distributed knowledge sources.

Disaster response based on production network management tasks

Purpose – This paper aims to present an approach to decision‐making in disaster response operations. The approach is based on ontology‐driven knowledge sharing and application of well‐developed tasks from the area of production network management, that in turn, enables using the existing problem‐solving methods and tools.Design/methodology/approach – The approach applies the decision‐making tasks used in production network management to solving the above‐mentioned problem.Findings – It is shown that there exist many common features and requirements for decision‐making in industrial environment and in disaster relief operations. They both require applying such technologies as ontology and context management, constraint satisfaction and profiling. Sample tasks used in the considered problem domains are presented.Originality/value – The described research is a step forward in extension of integrating relatively well‐developed technologies implemented in production networks to the quite new areas of disaster ...

Ontology management in multi-agent system for knowledge logistics

Knowledge is a critical resource for any activity. Current trends require using a global information environment, including end-users and loosely coupled knowledge sources (experts, knowledge bases, repositories, documents, etc.) for decision making. The vast diversity of the knowledge source management tools has made the problem of knowledge fusion from actual distributed knowledge sources. Knowledge logistics assumes presence of fusion processes. The knowledge fusion approach implies integration of knowledge from different sources (probably, heterogeneous) into a combined resource in order to complement insufficient knowledge and obtain a new knowledge. The multi-agent approach based on ontologies as a common manner of knowledge representation is described in the paper.

Ontology-driven information integration for operational decision support

The paper presents an approach to decision making in the dynamic environment. The approach is aimed at modeling and solving the decision makers problem. The problem is modeled by abstract and operational contexts integrating relevant information and domain knowledge. Domain knowledge is represented by ontologies. Ontology management operations are used for creation of ontology-based contexts or for integration of knowledge relevant to the problem into context. Context management techniques are incorporated into organization of relevant information in the contexts. Object-oriented constraint networks serve as a mechanism for problem definition and solving. The approach is implemented as an adaptive service for humanitarian logistics support.

Situation Modeling in Decision Support Systems

The paper addresses the problem of situation modeling for decision support purposes. Knowledge-based contexts of two types are used for situation modeling. Abstract context is an ontology-based problem model supplied with links to information sources that provide values for the class attributes included in the abstract context. It integrates knowledge relevant to the current situation from an application ontology (a model of a macro situation). Operational context is the abstract context instantiated with the values taken from information sources. It is a situation model along with changeable data. The proposed ideas are illustrated through a case study of disaster relief and evacuation. The concept of modeling situation as context allows decision support systems to take into account dynamic of information

Ontology-Driven Knowledge Logistics Approach as Constraint Satisfaction Problem

The paper is devoted to knowledge logistics problems. Knowledge logistics with regard to individual user requirements, available knowledge sources, and current situation analysis in an open information environment addresses problems of intelligent support of user activities. Knowledge logistics is guided by the principles underlying both Web services and Semantic Web as understandability of knowledge representation both to humans and machines, enabling knowledge sharing and reuse, ensuring intellectual support, etc. The paper describes an approach to knowledge logistics problem based on ontology-driven methodology and constraint satisfaction / propagation technology. Compatibility of object-oriented constraint network notation with DAML+OIL formalism is considered. Applicability of the approach to actual content is illustrated through a case study based on Binni scenario of humanitarian coalition-based operation.