A Process-collaboration Oriented Outsourcing Manufacturing Execution Framework Based on Multi-agent System

In competitive and uncertain global business environment, manufacturing enterprises must frequently expand manufacturing capacity to respond effectively and quickly to satisfy customer needs. Outsourcing manufacturing through subcontract is an effective approach for this purpose. This paper presents a process collaboration oriented outsourcing manufacturing execution framework, which integrates the functions of manufacturing execution system (MES)inside enterprise and collaborative manufacturing system across enterprises. With the collaborative working environment based on multi agent system, the framework can support enterprises to establish optimum production schedule with due date constraint, construct virtual enterprise by outsourcing tasks to partner enterprises, and utilize internal and external resources to conduct manufacturing activities with the coordination of workflow system, so as to expand the production capacity and reduce the time to market. A prototype system is implemented and demonstrated with a case study.