A multi-agent virtual enterprise model and its simulation with Swarm

Virtual enterprise (VE) is a considerably complex organization in the world. More efforts have been made to establish such organization, among which multi-agent modelling and simulation are regarded as a promising approach. In this paper, MAS theory and technology are briefly reviewed. A novel multi-agent VE model is provided with a comparison with related work. Swarm as an outstanding multi-agent simulation programming tool is introduced. A modelling and simulation platform is developed with Swarm. The framework and main components of the platform are illustrated. The procedure of modelling VE on this platform is proposed. A case study using the platform on VE establishment in manufacturing domain is presented, and several common formulae to measure the performance of manufactures are developed in this case study.