Application of the Multi-Agent Platform for Development of Smart Resource Management Systems in Real-Time

Abstract

Problem statement: The paper considers a task of multi-agent platform development for designing smart resource management systems in real time. Multi-agent platform is based on main classes of interacting agents with competing interests represented by satisfaction and penalty functions. Methods: A method of multi-criteria planning of production and transport resources is proposed, based on a modified model of demand and resource network of enterprises, where various criteria are alternately improved depending on the situation reflected by the state of resources and incoming event flow. Every cycle of replanning has two stages: conflict-free planning and proactive schedule improving with conflicts resolutions. Enterprise production orders and industrial/human resources serve as demands and resources, correspondingly. Demand and resource network agents have their own goals but are capable of making a compromise to achieve a common interest of the whole system. Results: The paper experimentally demonstrates the opportunity of solving complex tasks of resource management, which cannot be solved by traditional methods and known heuristics with required quality and efficiency. Practical value: The developed method and platform can be applied when designing industrial systems of resource management in various domains, providing a 20-40 % increase of enterprise efficiency. The following systems has been developed and put into operation: a multi-agent system for scheduling of flight program, cargo flow and resources of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station; a system of railway transportation management; a system for workshop management of a machine-building enterprise; a system of transportation logistics and some others.