SMART AGENT-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS TO SUPPORT BUSINESS PROCESSES

Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative agent-based intelligent framework aimed at modelling and facilitating simultaneous and parallel negotiations among organisations operating within the same industrial sector. The challenge lies in capturing the dynamic nature of the environment, where negotiations involving multiple attributes and participants are competing for a diverse array of resources. The quest for enhanced competitiveness has prompted companies to establish specialised business units to navigate the pursuit of new partnerships, necessitating seamless interoperability. However, the current state of Enterprise Interoperability is susceptible to the disruptive influence of external factors, making it vulnerable to fragmentation. To adapt to necessary changes, continual adjustments must be made, albeit at the risk of introducing conflicts with existing concepts, potentially jeopardising interoperability with partner organisations or necessitating widespread modifications. In response, this paper proposes a collaborative framework to facilitate negotiations aimed at enhancing interoperability among organisations operating within the same industrial domain, leveraging a model-driven, cloud-based infrastructure and services. The objective of this study is to provide assistance to autonomous microgrids that lack the capacity to secure large contracts independently. Addressing interoperability challenges, the paper advocates negotiation activities as a fundamental solution. Negotiation serves as a means for all microgrids within the collaborative network to reach mutually acceptable resolutions. The paper presents a negotiation approach wherein intelligent agents assess and modify offers and counteroffers, supported by a communication protocol among these agents.

Keywords

• automated negotiation
• microgrid
• smart agents
• dynamic environment
• network enterprises
• virtual enterprise