Introducing Commodity Flow to an Agent-Based Model E-commerce System

Abstract

In our model agent-based e-commerce system [2] we have assumed that a certain number of items of a given product is available for sale. In this note we introduce a model logistics subsystem and discuss how it will be integrated with the system.

Implementing Commodity Flow in an Agent-Based Model E-Commerce System

“…We have observed that while processes involved in client purchasing a product are very similar to these when stores re-stock their warehouses, there are also important differences concerning issues like: product demand prediction, offer selection criteria, interactions with wholesalers (including B2B portals as infomediaries), methods of price negotiations, trust management etc. These differences that underline the need for the special logistics subsystem, as well as assumptions about the business functions that shape it have been presented in [8] and are omitted here.…”

“…We did not address questions like: where are these products coming from, how are they restocked, etc. Only recently we have proposed an initial conceptualization of the logistics subsystem through which e-shops purchase products they sell ( [8]). We have observed that while processes involved in client purchasing a product are very similar to these when stores re-stock their warehouses, there are also important differences concerning issues like: product demand prediction, offer selection criteria, interactions with wholesalers (including B2B portals as infomediaries), methods of price negotiations, trust management etc.…”