Collaborative Purchasing Model Based on Multi-Agent

Collaborative purchasing is a new type of purchasing methods, which not only can effectively integrate and control resources of small and middle sized enterprises (SMEs), but also can give full play to advantages of scale purchasing, reduce purchasing costs and streamline purchasing processes. Based on the analysis of the advantages of collaborative purchasing and the characteristics of multi-agent technology, a multi-agent based collaborative purchasing model is proposed. Meanwhile, the negotiation rules during the process of collaborative purchasing are designed and discussed. This model involves agent based collaborative purchasing relationship between purchasers and suppliers, it breaks through the limitations of traditional purchasing for SMEs, overcomes unfavorable conditions and accounts for the interests of purchasers to maximize the benefits of purchasing. The model can also be referenced for SMEs.