Web-based supplier relationship framework using agent systems

In order to enable both manufacturers and suppliers to be profitable on today's highly competitive markets, manufacturers and suppliers must be quick in selecting best partners establishing strategic relationship, and collaborating with each other so that they can satisfy the changing competitive manufacturing requirements. A web-based supplier relationships (SR) framework is therefore proposed using multi-agent systems and linear programming technique to reduce supply cost, increase flexibility and shorten response time. The web-based SR approach is an ideal platform for information exchange that helps buyers and suppliers to maintain the availability of materials in the right quantity, at the right place, and at the right time, and keep the customer-supplier relationship more transparent. A multi-agent system prototype was implemented by simulation, which showed the feasibility of the proposed architecture.