Tatiana Levashova

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.

Constraint-driven Methodology for Context-based Decision Support

An approach to intelligent decision making support at its tactical and operational levels is discussed. The main idea behind the approach consists in knowledge-based creation of a problem model, instantiation of the problem by data values from information sources, and its interpretation as a constraint satisfaction problem. The proposed approach stages are mapped into Simon’s decision process model. Approach applicability is illustrated through a case study of disaster response.

Patterns for context-based knowledge fusion in decision support systems

The here presented research focuses on the context-based knowledge fusion patterns. Patterns are discovered based on an analysis and investigation of knowledge fusion processes in a context aware decision support system at the operational stage of the system functioning. At this stage the context-based knowledge fusion processes are manifested around the context. The patterns are generalized in regard to the following three aspects: (1) the effects that the knowledge fusion processes produce in the system; (2) the preservation of internal structures for the context and multiple sources the information/knowledge is fused from; and (3) the preservation of multiple sources and the context autonomies. At that, seven knowledge fusion patterns have been discovered: simple fusion, extension, instantiated fusion, configured fusion, adaptation, flat fusion, and historical fusion.

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.

Configuration of dynamic SME supply chains based on ontologies

Due to the increasing implementation of agile and networked manufacturing, supply chain has entered a new phase, virtual supply chain. The phase is characterized by the integration of activities, operations, and functions carried out at different and geographically distributed supply chain stages. The paper proposes an approach to the configuration of a network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being integrated into a supply chain. The SME supply chain configuration is based on a shared domain ontology for supply chain management, offering the configuration task as a function of supply chain management. Principles of the development of the shared ontology and possible ways of matching between enterprise and domain ontologies are considered.

Semantic-oriented support of interoperability between production information systems

The paper proposes an approach to support the interoperability in Build-To-Order (BTO) production networks. The approach covers technological, problem and semantic levels: (i) interoperability between different systems within one company or in several companies, (ii) distributed product data management and (iii) design and development of integrated products based on required functions. In the approach the knowledge is represented via ontologies described using Object-Oriented Constraint Network (OOCN) formalism. This formalism combines the advantages of object-oriented information representation and constraint networks. Since the problems to be solved are presented in the same formalism but may differ in structure and in values of variables, an on-the-fly problem modification and solving via an adaptive service are proposed. The approach is illustrated via an example from automotive industry and possible future work including the development of a methodology for customer-oriented complex product configuration based on its required functionality.

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.

Knowledge sharing in flexible production networks: a context-based approach

The appearance of production supply networks can be considered as a response to changes in global markets. Networks can be seen as a step beyond the linear supply chain topography. However, when dealing with multiple organisations and multiple processes within a complicated network, identifying and locating a member that has responsibility for and/or competence in a particular part of the network can be a laborious, time-consuming process. Knowledge sharing aims to assist in solving this problem. The approach presented here is based on the application of such technologies as ontology and context management to knowledge sharing. The paper also presents the experience of applying the above approach to solving a real-life problem from the area of dynamic logistics as part of a flexible production network configuration. The considered problem takes into account a continuously changing problem environment and requires nearly real-time solving.