Implementation, Numerical Examples and Tests

In order to test the functionality of the proposed agent based distributed architecture for manufacturing e-marketplaces, a proper simulation environment has been developed. Such an environment has been used to test the functionality of all the features discussed in the previous chapters of this book, but also to understand the real value that some added value services, such as re-planning and negotiation, can bring to the participants in a virtual district. This chapter discusses the above issues; in particular, the first part is dedicated to show all of the implementation phases; in the second part of the chapter a numerical example able to show the full functionality of all the applications, described in the previous chapters, will be analyzed; finally, in the third part, a set of experimental results will be discussed in order to understand the economic value of real added services in manufacturing e-marketplaces.