Structure of Intelligent Agent-Based Evaluation Module in Distributed Supply Network Coordination

The article proposes a hybrid model to be applied by evaluation agents to pick the best supplier bid(s) in real-time supply network coordination. Softbots act without direct human intervention and make use of three powerful techniques of fuzzy logic, quality function deployment and analytical hierarchical process to evaluate and select the best alternative(s). Suppliers are ranked based on both voice of customer and technical requirements via an online bidding system. The resulting evaluation engine is embedded in an integrated total system for supply chain coordination. The mechanism is verified in theory and practice and has been implemented in real-world cases.