Title: Design of an agent-based system for improving supply chain strategy

Authors: H.C.W. Lau, Y.K. Tse, G.T.S. Ho, A. Ning

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Abstract: Supply chain managers and decision makers are facing a challenge to develop supply chains that are efficient and economical, with the ability to provide the organisation with added value by simultaneously enhancing the quality of customer service and reducing operation cost. Supply Chain Management has become a major vehicle to gain a competitive advantage in this ever-changing market. It can also make instant improvements to an enterprise|s business strategies. Supply chain strategy is not simply derived from the business strategy. It can be the enabler of the business strategy. It promotes good responsiveness to customer demands by shortening the product life cycle throughout the supply pipeline. In this paper, an intelligent agent-based system, named Supply Chain Strategy Improvement System is proposed. Its aim is to provide support to decision-making in matters related to the supply chain strategy by utilising various artificial intelligence techniques, including Multi-agent System techniques, Case-based Reasoning and Online Analytical Processing.

Keywords: agent-based systems; multi-agent systems; MAS; information systems; logistics strategy; SCM; supply chain management; intelligent agents; case-based reasoning; online analytical processing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2009.024254

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2009 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.198 - 214

Published online: 30 Mar 2009 *

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