An Agent-based Framework for Cross-domain Cooperation of Virtual Enterprise

Virtual enterprise cross-domain cooperation and inner-domain cooperation have been implemented using an identical method, as the significant differences between them have been neglected. Based on the analysis of why the agent-based mechanism is suitable and only suitable for cross-domain cooperation of virtual enterprise, an agent-based framework is proposed. In this framework, there is a service-information Supply-Demand Center (SDC) serving as a service information medium, and Agents are responsible for cooperative partner selecting before cooperation and interaction during cooperation. Allocation strategy, negotiation strategy and basic interaction models are also presented. Finally, the application of the framework in ECCS (E-Commerce oriented Cooperative System) and Webflow, which are our two workflow-based cooperative systems, is introduced. The framework can make enterprises cooperate with other heterogeneous systems as well as inherit their existing management systems.