Applying a reconfigurable multi-agent scheduler to product distribution

More intelligent scheduling methods are required for manufacturing scheduling due to the move to more agile systems. Multi-agent methods are one such approach. This paper describes the application of a reconfigurable multi-agent scheduler to the problem of allocating orders to warehouses in a distribution supply chain. This multi-agent system was originally developed for allocation of orders to machines in a highly reconfigurable manufacturing system and this work was aimed at investigating the ease of applying this same scheduler to other problems. It was found that this new application was readily achieved because of the modular structure of the scheduler. This paper shows how the application to the new problem was achieved.