Towards ontology solutions for enabling interoperability in virtual enterprises

Abstract

Virtual Enterprises (VE) are characterised by a multi-directional continuous information flow between all their geographical and structurally distributed members. Therefore, a fluent information flow has to be guaranteed. Unfortunately, various common communication problems among humans. among machines as well as between humans and machines normally arise and endanger significantly the interoperability between the VE members. In this paper different considerations concerning essential requirements for an effective collaboration among humans and between humans and machines are described. It is especially outlined. how ontology networks could contribute to overcome these problems. For this reason a prototype will be presented and its function and structure described. Finally, also consideration about its further enhancements are underlined. © 2004 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.