Evaluation of a multi-agent based workflow management system modeled using coloured Petri nets

Abstract

Workflow management systems (WfMS) should address the needs of rapidly changing business environments. We have built a multi-agent based framework, JBees, which addresses these needs. We evaluate our agent-based workflow system, which employs coloured Petri net workflow modeling, with the proposed standards for various workflow patterns and communication patterns. The coloured Petri net models support the workflow patterns and the agent-based framework supports the communication standards developed by the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA). The agent-based communication technology patterns along with the workflow patterns equip the workflow management system with a comprehensive set of capabilities, such as adaptability and distribution. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 20057.