JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 14(7): 1080-1104, doi: 10.3217/jucs-014-07-1080
An Agent-Based Solution for Dynamic Supply Chain Management
Vedran Podobnik‡, Ana Petric‡, Gordan Jezic‡‡ University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Corresponding author: Vedran Podobnik ( vedran.podobnik@fer.hr ) © Vedran Podobnik, Ana Petric, Gordan Jezic. This article is freely available under the J.UCS Open Content License. Citation:
Podobnik V, Petric A, Jezic G (2008) An Agent-Based Solution for Dynamic Supply Chain Management. JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 14(7): 1080-1104. https://doi.org/10.3217/jucs-014-07-1080 |  |
Abstract
Supply chain management (SCM) deals with planning and coordinating activities such as material procurement, product assembly, and the distribution of manufactured products. This paper offers an agent-based solution as a potentially adequate approach for the automation of supply chain management. The greatest obstacle in SCM research is obtaining benchmark designed solutions since it is difficult to simulate real business environments, while live testing in real-world systems is not an option. The Trading Agent Competition Supply Chain Management (TAC SCM) scenario provides a unique testbed for studying and prototyping SCM agents by providing a challenging game environment where competing agents engage in complex decision-making activities with the purpose of maximizing their profit. In this paper, we describe the TAC SCM environment and present the main features of the CrocodileAgent, our TAC SCM 2007 entry. Additionally, the CrocodileAgents performance in the competition, as well as in a series of controlled experiments, is discussed.
Keywords
supply chain management, electronic markets, software agents, trading agents, multi-agent simulation