mPower — a component-based development framework for multi-agent systems to support business processes

One of the obstacles preventing the widespread adoption of multi-agent systems in industry is the difficulty of implementing heterogeneous interactions among participating agents via asynchronous messages. This difficulty arises from the need to understand how to combine elements of various content...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BT technology journal 2007-07, Vol.25 (3-4), p.260-271
Main Authors: Shepherdson, J. W., Lee, H., Mihailescu, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Automation
Communications networks
Computer platforms
Ontology
Software
Studies
Technological change
Verbal communication
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Summary:One of the obstacles preventing the widespread adoption of multi-agent systems in industry is the difficulty of implementing heterogeneous interactions among participating agents via asynchronous messages. This difficulty arises from the need to understand how to combine elements of various content languages, ontologies, and interaction protocols in order to construct meaningful and appropriate messages. In this paper mPower, a component-based layered framework for easing the development of multi-agent systems, is described, and the facility for customising the components for reuse in similar domains is explained. The framework builds on the JADE-LEAP platform, which provides a homogeneous layer over diverse operating systems and hardware devices, and allows ubiquitous deployment of applications built on multi-agent systems both in wired and wireless environments. The use of the framework to develop mPower mobile , a multi-agent system to support mobile workforces, is also reported. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1358-3948
1573-1995
DOI:10.1007/s10550-007-0083-8