The changing role of information technology in food and beverage logistics management: beverage network optimisation using intelligent agent technology

Mangina, Eleni and Vlachos, Ilias (2005) The changing role of information technology in food and beverage logistics management: beverage network optimisation using intelligent agent technology. Journal of Food Engineering, 70 (3). pp. 403-420. ISSN 0260-8774

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Abstract

The last decades, advances in information technologies and increased competition have changed the business environment in food and beverages industry, particularly in the European Union, which is characterised by the proliferation of small and medium enterprises. Many food companies are now aggressively focusing on logistics management as the last frontier to gain and sustain a competitive advantage.
This study describes a model of intelligent food supply chain that improves efficiency within the supply chain. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that agent technology can optimize food supply chains by (a) reviewing intelligent agents applications for supply chain optimization and (b) illustrating how a multi-agent system can optimize performance of a beverage logistics network. Firstly, we review and synthesise existing applications in comparison to traditional and Internet-based technologies and evaluate critically agent technology applicability for supply chain management. We model the beer supply network to demonstrate that products can acquire intelligence to direct themselves throughout the distribution network. Optimisation agents can help solve specific problems of beverage supply: reduce inventories and lessen bullwhip effect, improve communication, and enable chain coordination without adverse risk sharing. Further, they gain a capability to be purchased and sold while in transit.
Overviews of the supporting technologies that make such a supply chain a reality are fully discussed. In particular, optimisation agents have the characteristics of autonomous action, being proactive, reactive, and able to communicate. We demonstrate that agents enhance the flexibility, information visibility, and efficiency of the supply chain management. Suggestions and recommendations for further research are provided. Simulations of the agent-enabled supply optimisation can be used to benchmark for future research and development associated with building an optimisation agent.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	N100 Business studies
Department:	Faculties > Business and Law > Newcastle Business School
Depositing User:	Ilias Vlachos
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2013 09:11
Last Modified:	19 Nov 2019 09:54
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/12907

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