Intelligent agent platform for procurement

Agent technology is still new and relatively unknown to many systems and applications programmers. An agent template would enable programmers to launch and program intelligent agents easily and effectively. Such a template, called Java Agent Alive (JAA), has been developed. It is a software infrastructure that supports communication (using KQML) between different agents incorporating the broadcast (multi-agent communication) and an intelligent shell (Jess). The system requirements, design and implementation of JAA are described. The functional components of JAA include agent template classes, initialization and activation, data packaging and transmission, agent conference architecture, the AI script player, and network class server and loader. The system helps agent developers to create their own agent-based applications. It demonstrates the viability of agents to undertake negotiations on behalf of human beings. Some illustrative features are: a conferencing feature for agents to negotiate; a template for agent developers to activate agents; free movement of agents from one station to another station; AI facilities for agents. A prototype has been developed to demonstrate a personal computer procurement (PCP) process. In PCP, most tasks are carried out by software agents. The extent to which these tasks are delegated largely depends on the extensive use of AI technology, and human trust in software agents. The programmer´s platform and the prototype clearly establish the viability of the intelligent agent negotiation system for effective and convenient procurement with minimal human intervention