Representing, Modeling and Engineering a Collaborative Supply Chain Management Platform

Global optimization among partners of a supply chain is a trend often found in scientific literature. To achieve such a result, technological tools to collect suitable information within shortest delays are required. Devices such as RFID or GPS positioning systems deliver real-time information on material flows. However, data fragments need to be integrated in a global information sharing system where each of the involved actors can perform computations as well as operations to take autonomous action and manage resources at best. In this perspective, the paper presents a research aimed to build an e-collaborative software system for outbound logistic actors. Advanced knowledge representation models are used, notably a framework driven by the core services provided by the involved actors and structured using the classical three decision layers. The actor’s rationale is then detailed which further leads to the design of a multi-agent system. The proposal is validated using a critical success factors framework for IT evaluation in SCM.