Cooperative Production Networks - Multiagent Modeling and Planning

Consumer goods are mainly produced in multiple steps through a long process. These steps are often done by separate, independent production nodes (enterprises), linked by supply chains. The networks of enterprises—where members have their own objectives and act in an autonomous, rational way to reach their goals—can be naturally modeled by agent-based methodology. The inner structure of each enterprise is similar in the sense that it contains separated planning functions (e.g., production-, inventory-, capacity planning). While the operation inside an enterprise can be controlled centrally, the interaction between the nodes could be synchronized only by negotiation and coordination. Coordination can be based on protocols which regulate information, material and financial flows alike. In this paper we expose an agent-based organizational model of production networks and suggest some planning algorithms which can handle the uncertainty of demand. In addition, we outline the first results of our ongoing research, an analysis of the asymmetric information case and an appropriate coordination mechanism.