Multi-agent models in workflow design

The complexity of real systems requires that existent applications integration. It is a strong requirement the integration applications of real systems due their complexity. The multi-agent concepts are used for integration of workflow management systems (WFMSs) in order to assure an efficient decision making. During the last two decades many models were proposed and developed in that the agents are used during the design and execution of WFMSs. One of the most important features in the requirements for integration is the coordination that must be designed in an appropriate way. The ontology constitutes the basis for the integration in the context of multi-agent system. It allows that the system components and the agents have a common understanding for their actions. Between other requirements, the capability of reengineering in the case of failures is mandatory for workflow modeling and design. The paper reviews the above problems and present many of the major solutions developed on date.