Title: A Smart Decision-Support System for dispersed manufacturing using neural object technology

Authors: Henry C.W. Lau, Carman K.M. Lee, George T.S. Ho, K.F. Pun, K.L. Choy

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: In a dispersed manufacturing environment where the production value chain is being dissected and rationalised to take advantage of dissimilar core competencies of geographically isolated firms, manufacturing strategy is required to modify from time to time in accordance with the turbulent market. A |smart| Decision-Support System (DSS) is proposed with the distinct feature of artificial intelligence capabilities to achieve progressive knowledge acquisition and creation to the entity it is associated with. In particular, this proposed system is characterised by the inclusion of a Neural Object Agent (NOA), which is built upon a newly developed technology coined as neural object technology.

Keywords: neural networks; object technology; intelligent DSS; decision support systems; dispersed manufacturing; agent technology; multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; manufacturing strategy; distributed manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2009.026191

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.18 No.2, pp.149 - 166

Published online: 28 May 2009 *

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