A Multi-agent Framework for Distributed Business Intelligence Systems

This paper describes the design and development of a Multi Agent Based Business Intelligence System (MABBI). MABBI uses agent technology to address issues in the field of Business Intelligence (BI) including integration into business processes, reduced latencies and decision automation. Specifically the research discussed in this paper addresses the relative value of local as opposed to global business intelligence and describes an approach to implementing a multi-agent solution to local intelligence provision. To illustrate the MABBI concept a prototype is described (pMABBI) that applies the technology in the retail industry to automate item-level pricing decisions. The implementation of the prototype is explained and some results in a simulated environment are discussed.