Abstract
In this paper the authors consider supply planning in a production network as a distributed effort for matching future demand and supply by relying on asymmetric and partly uncertain information. Even though decisions are made autonomously and locally, partners should act in a concerted way. For approaching the two main conflicting goals of a high service level and low overall costs throughout the network, there is a need for a specific coordination media for managing the intentions and interactions of the partners. Starting from the design principles, the authors describe a logistics platform that provides a complex service for communicating and evaluating all relevant information that may influence the operation of supply channels. A particular interest is in coordinating a focal supply network that produces customised mass products. The implementation technologies of the system are outlined together with the first lessons of the deployed application.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by OTKA No. T73376 and OMFB No. 01638/2009 grants, as well as by the FP6 project AC/DC No. 031520.