Software Agent Technology for Large Scale, Real-Time Logistics Decision Support

摘要

Report developed under SBIR contract for topic AOO-114. Software agents are computer programs that perform specific operations for users based on those users' wishes or needs. The benefit of an agent is that it can be programmed to provide precisely the information needed by that user, at the appropriate time and place for that information to be useful. Agents can save users enormous amounts of time by avoiding the need for developing complicated searches and extract scripts every time new information is required. This report details the results of a Phase I SBIR research project for the US Army on the concept of a Logistics Agent Wizard (TM) (LAW), a prograrn that can automatically create agents for users without the need for detailed programming or significant computer knowledge on the user's part. In Phase I we designed the architecture of the LAW and developed a prototype user interface to demonstrate the concepts of user-driven agent creation. We also developed Java Bean agent components that can be combined within the LAW to create agents capable of providing automated assistance to current and future logistics operations.