A multi-agent framework for the coordination and integration of information systems

This paper describes a framework for the coordination and integration of in formation systems. By modeling typical enterprise information systems as co nsisting of multiple agents with different functionalities, the methodology provides the representational formalism, coordination mechanisms, and cont rol schemes necessary for integrating heterogeneous units of an information system while meeting such performance criteria as overall effectiveness, e fficiency, responsiveness, and robustness. The framework is applied to the development of a manufacturing information system for managing the production processes for making printed circuit boa rds. Performance results confirm that the system integration framework is i mportant to support complex business processes that involve multiple steps of activities processed by a group of agents across a variety of functional ities.