MASK-SM : multi-agent system based knowledge management system to support knowledge sharing of software maintenance knowledge environment.

Knowledge management (KM) has become an important topic as organizations wish to take advantage of the information that they produce and that can be brought to bear on present decisions. This paper described a system to manage the information and knowledge generated during the software maintenance process (SMP). Knowledge Management System (KMS) is utilizing to help employees build a shared vision, since the same codification is used and misunderstanding in staff communications may be avoided. The architecture of the system is formed from a set of agent communities each community of practice(CoP) is in charge of managing a specific type of knowledge. The agents can learn from previous experience and share their knowledge with other agents or communities in a group of multi-agent system (MAS). This paper also described on the theoretical concept and approach of multi-agent technology framework that could be implemented software maintenance process (SMP) in order to facilitate knowledge sharing among the maintainers of the learning organization. as well as to demonstrate it into the system wise, on how the multi-agent technology could be utilized in the software maintenance process (SMP) system model for serving the maintainer that is developed by using groupware such as Lotus Notes software. This architecture will be named as MASK-SM (MAS Architecture to Facilitate Knowledge Sharing of Software Maintenance). The author followed the Prometheus methodology to design the MAS architecture. This paper applied the definition of ISO 9241-11 (1998) that examines effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. The emphasis will be given to the software maintenance process (SMP) activities that may concern with multi-agent technology to help the maintainers especially in learning organization to work collaboratively including critical success factor in order to ensure that software maintenance process (SMP) initiatives would be delivered competitive advantage for the community of practice(CoP) as well as users of the organization

Demonstration of Software Agents Prototype System : [AIMM] Agents for Improving Maintenance Management

This report presents the demonstration of software agents prototype system for improving maintenance management [AIMM] including: • Developing and implementing a user focused approach for mining the maintenance data of buildings. This report presents the demonstration of software agents prototype system for improving maintenance management [AIMM] including: • Developing and implementing a user focused approach for mining the maintenance data of buildings. • Refining the development of a multi agent system for data mining in virtual environments (Active Worlds) by developing and implementing a filtering agent on the results obtained from applying data mining techniques on the maintenance data. • Integrating the filtering agent within the multi agents system in an interactive networked multi-user 3D virtual environment. • Populating maintenance data and discovering new rules of knowledge

Agent-based tool to support collaborative KMS in software maintenance process environment

Software maintenance (SM) environment is highly complex, knowledge-driven and collaborative. Therefore, knowledge management system (KMS) is critical to provide an environment for sharing and sustaining knowledge among members of SM community of practice (CoP). Several KM retrieval tools are compared to identify the areas that could be improved. One of the important but least available knowledge required by maintainers is the Domain Business knowledge and the relations to the application SM process knowledge. We propose a new tool based on Multi-Agent System (MAS) to address this issue and to assist CoP members to get the right knowledge at the right time

Utilizing usability model with multi-agent technology to facilitate knowledge sharing of software maintenance process knowledge environment.

This paper described a system to manage knowledge generated during the software maintenance process (SMP). Knowledge Management System (KMS) is utilizing to help employees build a shared vision, since the same codification is used and misunderstanding in staff communications may be avoided. The architecture of the system is formed from a set of agent communities each community of practice (CoP). The agents can learn from previous experience and share their knowledge with other agents or communities in a group of multi-agent system (MAS). This paper also described on the theoretical concept and approach of (MAS) technology framework that could be implemented (SMP) in order to facilitate knowledge sharing among the maintainers as well as to demonstrate it into the system wise, on how the (MAS) technology could be utilized in (SMP) system model for serving the maintainer that is developed by using groupware such as Lotus Notes software. This paper applied the definition of (ISO 9241-11, 1998) that examines effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. The emphasis will be given to (SMP) activities that may concern with (MAS) technology that to help the maintainers in order to work collaboratively including critical success factor ensuring that SMP initiatives would be delivered competitive advantage for the (CoP) as well as users of the organization

Development of a Multi-agent Collision Resolution System at the Supply of Spare Parts and Components to the Production Equipment of Industrial Enterprises

The approach to the creation of computer facilities for the automation of the technical maintenance of production equipment (TMPE) at industrial enterprises (IE) is outlined. Meaningful and formal statement of the problem of forming solutions for identifying and eliminating collisions that arise when delivering spare parts and components for TMPE are presented. The method of formation of coordinating decisions on maintenance with spare parts and accessories for carrying out TMPE at IE is described. The organization of intellectual support of formation of coordinating decisions by recognition of potential collision in the TMPE process is offered. This procedure involves checking the real existence of the collision and issuing a coordinating decision. In this case, the decision is formed in the event of a disagreement between the need for spare parts and components for the TMPE maintenance, with their availability in the PP warehouse. The ways of software implementation of this method in the environment of multi-agent system are considered. In particular, the description of the multi-agent system developed during the prototype research is given. The prototype is implemented using CORBA technology, in accordance with DSTU ISO/ EC 2382-15:2005. The calculation of the efficiency of the application of the developed computer tools in production is shown. To assess the quality of the system, a sliding control method based on leave-on-out cross-validation (LOOCV) is applied

Delivering knowledge in the field: A telecommunications service provision and maintenance case

This paper proposes a novel approach to providing knowledge management services in a business process wherein field engineers are the main process actors, providing and maintaining telecommunications services. Cooperating multi-agents play a central role for the provision of knowledge management services by integrating heterogeneous systems to collect related knowledge for the execution of mobile tasks. The proposed system is expected to increase both the performance of the mobile workforce and customer satisfaction by supporting and encouraging knowledge sharing

Coordination approaches and systems - part I : a strategic perspective

This is the first part of a two-part paper presenting a fundamental review and summary of research of design coordination and cooperation technologies. The theme of this review is aimed at the research conducted within the decision management aspect of design coordination. The focus is therefore on the strategies involved in making decisions and how these strategies are used to satisfy design requirements. The paper reviews research within collaborative and coordinated design, project and workflow management, and, task and organization models. The research reviewed has attempted to identify fundamental coordination mechanisms from different domains, however it is concluded that domain independent mechanisms need to be augmented with domain specific mechanisms to facilitate coordination. Part II is a review of design coordination from an operational perspective

Models and metaphors: complexity theory and through-life management in the built environment

Complexity thinking may have both modelling and metaphorical applications in the through-life management of the built environment. These two distinct approaches are examined and compared. In the first instance, some of the sources of complexity in the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment are identified. The metaphorical use of complexity in management thinking and its application in the built environment are briefly examined. This is followed by an exploration of modelling techniques relevant to built environment concerns. Non-linear and complex mathematical techniques such as fuzzy logic, cellular automata and attractors, may be applicable to their analysis. Existing software tools are identified and examples of successful built environment applications of complexity modelling are given. Some issues that arise include the definition of phenomena in a mathematically usable way, the functionality of available software and the possibility of going beyond representational modelling. Further questions arising from the application of complexity thinking are discussed, including the possibilities for confusion that arise from the use of metaphor. The metaphor of a 'commentary machine' is suggested as a possible way forward and it is suggested that an appropriate linguistic analysis can in certain situations reduce perceived complexity