Ren Shouju

Multi-agent system for cost estimation

Abstract The cost estimation now is a vital concern of every manufacturing firm, and many methods are available for cost estimation. In this paper , we build an novel architecture of multiagent system with each agent representing one kind of cost estimation method (distributed multi-agent system). The system first classifies the users requests , then makes the expert agents to cooperate and compete to fulfill the task. The model is based on a fuzzy classification of cost estimation methods and a dynamic optimization of structure to make the agents to learn from the past (based on agent reputation). In this way, the amount of information exchange is considerably reduced.

A multiagent system for the support of concurrent engineering

The concurrent design of a product involves the cooperation of many functions such as manufacturing, logistics, marketing, and sales. It can be represented as a multiagent system with each agent representing a kind of expertise. Each agent has its own evaluation criteria and egoistic goals. Decision-making leads to problems typical for concurrent engineering, in which all related processes are simultaneously taken into consideration. In this paper, we discuss some characteristics of conflict, conflict type identification, as well as conflict resolution. A system architecture and an agent structure are proposed. We also propose a novel scheme named distributed dynamic conceptual tree to overcome the difficulty of understanding between agents during the problem solving process and reduce the amount of communications between agents. An demonstration example validating our work is presented.

Research of supply chain decision support system based on self-organization

With the rapid development of information technology and knowledge economy, the global market pattern comes into being accordingly. Most enterprises are dedicated to adopt the advanced supply chain management pattern in order to improve their business management. In this paper a supply chain decision support system based on self-organization is introduced and analyzed in detail; it is a powerful information supporting and system model building tool. The research is made under the typical application background and objectives, and shows the great market application potentiality in the near future.

Knowledge management and its application model in enterprise information systems

Knowledge management has come to be one of the hottest research domains over the last few years, which at the same time has brought lots of application interest from enterprises. The paper gives a brief introduction to knowledge management, which includes the definition, goal, procedure and structure of knowledge management, and also its comparison with information management. Then, a new enterprise information system model that is based on KM is put forward, together with its function model and key technologies. Also the restriction to realize knowledge management today is mentioned. The paper could be regarded as an overview of KM and also as a new application research project that puts the concepts into real enterprise implementations.

A blackboard-based multi-agent distributed QFD system

A type of quality function development (QFD) is an important methodology for concurrent engineering. QFD contacts the customer requirements and production process. In distributed environment, customer requirements, multiple team members and process are geographically, culturally, and functionally diverse. It requires cooperation and conflict resolution among design, production and sales process. In this paper, we introduce a blackboard-based multi-agent distributed QFD framework. In this framework, QFD core module, manufacture module, distributed TM module and market module are presented. Agents are used to emulate the entities i.e. various module and their internal departments. The framework facilitates the development of the product design and the production process.

The framework of agent-based concurrent engineering oriented distributed QFD system

Quality function development (QFD) is an important methodology for concurrent engineering. QFD contacts the customer requirements and production process. In distributed environment, customer requirements, multiple team members and process are geographically, culturally, and functionally diverse. It requires cooperation and conflict resolution among design, production and sales process. In this paper, we introduce a multi-agent-based distributed QFD framework, which orients concurrent engineering (MAS-CEQFD). In this framework, QFD core module, manufacture module, distributed TM module and market module are presented. Agents are used to emulate the entities, i.e. various module and their internal departments. The framework facilitates the development of the product design and the production process.

Self-organization based DSS framework

This paper presents a new decision support system (DSS) framework based on the self-organization principle, which offers flexibility and rationality in a complex enterprise environment. Firstly, the complexity of the current decision environment is analyzed. Then, the decision procedure model and its general dynamic state equation model are introduced. As the order-parameter is a key concept in the self-organization principle, the paper gives a diagrammatic strategy for DSS modeling, which divides the DSS solution methodology into both an order-parameter abstraction and a rule propagation procedure. The fractal data structure of the DSS is explained. Furthermore, a self-organization simulation model is introduced, which is the core of the new DSS framework, and which results in an advanced decision support strategy.

Multiple-value decision supporting application in software production facing global market

Information technology has put enterprises into global competition, and the process of preparing global software products is being abundantly discussed everywhere. Decision-makers find that various kinds of decision problems are emerging in this process; thus, decision support systems (DSS) are playing an important role in this area. This paper introduces a DSS which can be applied by small-to-medium-sized (SM) software companies already holding a marketable product and facing the challenges of the global market. A multiple-value analysis-based model is introduced to assess multi-objective, intangible impacts, uncertainty and ill-posed problems that SM software companies might be able of responding to within a continuously changing and unpredictable environment. A three-layer DSS framework for software production in the face of a global market is first introduced. Then, a general value model tree can help to better organize the value deployment of the system. Further research concerning real decision scenarios is presented and progressed after this.Information technology has put enterprises into global competition, and the process of preparing global software products is being abundantly discussed everywhere. Decision-makers find that various kinds of decision problems are emerging in this process; thus, decision support systems (DSS) are playing an important role in this area. This paper introduces a DSS which can be applied by small-to-medium-sized (SM) software companies already holding a marketable product and facing the challenges of the global market. A multiple-value analysis-based model is introduced to assess multi-objective, intangible impacts, uncertainty and ill-posed problems that SM software companies might be able of responding to within a continuously changing and unpredictable environment. A three-layer DSS framework for software production in the face of a global market is first introduced. Then, a general value model tree can help to better organize the value deployment of the system. Further research concerning real decision scenarios is presented and progressed after this.

Learning-oriented simulations and applications of self-organization principle

The papers objective is to present the result of learning and evolution oriented self-organization simulation model, which could perform valuable solutions in both theoretical and application area. Complexity of systems can be simulated by the given three-layer framework and algorithms, which implement not only interactive behavior mode, but also evolution possibilities on the base of the acting entity information structures. Self-adaptive behaviors are clearly discovered and explored during the simulation procedure. It could be a meaningful theory contribution in system science, and additionally, felicitous combination of the model with application decision problems obtains synchronous decision result within simulation time.

Business process optimization algorithms

Task improving to be DEA efficient and task combing are discussed in this paper. In benchmarking, there are usually multiple excellent practices on how to improve cost to the least? Thus, the lowest cost problem of task is proposed, and the programming model is established. In business process transfer delay usually exists between two tasks. Combing task can diminish the delay, but incur costs through loss of specialization and etc,. The benefit from task combining is closely related with the process structure. The optimal design of task combing is a mixed 0-1 programming. Based on the property that the final result is irrelevant with the order of task combing, the problem is decomposed into a series of critical task combing.