A secure XML/Java-based Implementation of Auction Services for Complex Resource Allocation Problems

This paper describes a novel resource allocation service that can be used in cooperations of enterprises to comprehensively and efficiently coordinate resource-related goals and activities. It can also be used to establish "classic" markets for interdependent goods or services. The approach is based on bundled-goods auctions and allows to achieve a high degree of analysability, economic efficiency and usability. The resource allocation service is implemented in Java based on the exchange of XML messages. The utilized schemata are expressed using XML DTDs as a lowest common denominator. This seems to be an important prerequisite to ensure interoperability with emerging standards in E-commerce whilst it still provides the necessary flexibility to adapt the solution to future needs. For development and implementation of the allocation service, utilizing (secure) agents seemed to be a natural choice regarding the fact that the cooperating partners are economically autonomous and thus wan..