Dynamic configuration of flexible supply networks based on semantic service composition

Abstract

In a complex business network finding a supplier can be a very time consuming task. In advanced supply networks like build-to-order supply chains, this task should be carried out under time constraints and under uncertainties both in suppliers and in the orders. The technology of semantic service oriented architectures is aimed to support such tasks, enabling self-organising flexible supply networks (FSN). A novel approach to dynamic network members’ discovery and selection based on competence profiles included in provided service descriptions is proposed. The approach is based on the idea to characterise all FSN members by their functions or services and to describe them via profiles thus defining their roles. The profiles described by the application ontology are associated with agent-based services that negotiate to take into account explicit and tacit preferences of the enterprises, in order to dynamically configure a network on demand. Semantic service discovery and dynamic composition are used to accomplish this task.