Design of an intelligent agent-based supply chain simulation system

Abstract

An intelligent agent-based supply chain simulation system is designed, in which a supply chain entity is represented by an agent. There are six layers in this system: raw material providers, component manufacturers, product assemblers, product holders, retailers, and final customers. A detailed agent structure is presented and various functions of the agent are described. Moreover, communication activities among agents are discussed. By using the proposed system, issues in supply chain integration, information sharing among supply chain partners, demand forecasting, supply chain risk management, and automated communication and negotiation, could be simulated and studied. ©2007 IEEE.