A multi-agent approach for supply chain management using ant colony optimization

Carlos A. Silva, João Miguel da Costa Sousa, José M. G. Sá da Costa, Thomas A. Runkler

Abstract: Distributed systems like supply chains can be efficiently managed by multi-agent approaches. However, the control of each sub-system in a supply chain is a complex optimization problem where optimal performance can be achieved using meta-heuristics. This paper presents a new methodology for supply chain management, a distributed optimization using ant colonies, where the concepts of agents and ant colony optimization are merged, using the pheromone matrix as communication platform. This paper formalizes this methodology, using as an example a supply chain with logistic, supplying and distribution sub-systems.