Using agent technology to support supply chain management:potentials and challenges

Abstract

<p>The focus of supply chain management has been shifted from production efficiency to customer-driven and partnership synchronization approaches. To implement this strategic shift requires high-level collaboration between supply chain partners. Software agent technology will have great potential in supporting collaboration in supply chain management. In this paper, we review the trend of supply chain management and analyze how agent technology can be applied to support collaboration in information sharing, operation cooperation, and dynamic cha1n configuration. We also review existing agent systems that support supply chain management at operational and strategic levels. Finally, we analyze the limitations of the agent approach and suggest future research directions.</p>