OFFER: A Broker-Centered Object Framework For Electronic Requisitioning

Procurement is one of the most important business functions. Especially in highly mechanized mass-production industries, the proportion of income dollars spent on purchasing is relatively high. Distributed object systems provide a key to building interoperable applications that can execute on a range of platforms. We propose a CORBA-based object framework called OFFER, focused on electronic procurement and business-to-business commerce. This paper discusses the design and implementation of the electronic broker in OFFER. Key functionality of the broker is the ability to search in underlying electronic catalogs and the ability to use auction mechanisms to buy or sell goods.

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