Multi-Agent Based Workflow Management Systems Design

摘要

Workflow management systems (WFMS) are an emerging category of information systems, currently under dynamic evolution. On the other hand software agents are a distinct research area as well as an emerging paradigm for information systems design and development. This paper tries to examine the integration of these two fields. WFMS based on agent technology can cope with the rapidly evolving business environment better than most other systems as they are more flexible and open. We describe a possible architecture of such a system by means of our prototype WFMS. Collaborating agents enable a flexible and adaptive system with the possibility of simulation, analysis, and monitoring of the process execution in order to identify potential inconsistencies and to provide appropriate information to the workflow administrator for the purpose of the process improvement. As a result, a particular prototype design based on the JADE platform is obtained. The prototype design could better provide a flexible and adaptive infrastructure for incorporating dynamic changes to the currently executing process model, and provide a mechanism for communication of distributed components in order to support interorganizational WFMS.