- A Virtual Manufacturing Agent for Sales Agent of Manufacturers in EC Marketplace
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- Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems , volume 7, issue 1, 2001, Pages 1~15
Abstract
Recently, Internet based Electronic Commerce is recognized as one of the alternatives for strengthening sales power of small and medium companies. However, small and medium manufacturers can't adjust properly to the new environment because they are in short of money, personnel, and technology. To cope with this problem, this paper deals with the development of virtual manufacturing agent to support sales agent. The sales activity of most of parts manufacturing companies is based on orders of buyers. The process of promotion, receipt and selection of orders of the parts manufacturing is closely coupled with the load status of the production lines. On deciding whether to accept an order or not, as well as negotiating with buyers, sales person needs information such as load and schedule of production lines, manufacturability of the order. Therefore, the functions of virtual manufacturing agents manufacturability analysis, process planning, and scheduling are key features in developing an agent of sales activity for the parts manufacturing business. While most of research on virtual manufacturing system so far is focused on the simulation of each product, this paper deals with the development of agent assisting internet-based product sales by supporting production information promptly. The pilot system of virtual manufacturing agent is implemented using KQML-based agent template and Java-based expert system shell for a small molding company