Cooperative systhems challenges in virtual enterprises

This paper discusses implementation approaches to industrial Virtual Enterprises (VE) considered as Cooperative Systems. The main types of cooperation problems are identified for the various kinds of virtual enterprises. Component technologies to be used in the development of a cooperation platform are discussed. The PRODNET architecture for a VE infrastructure is summarized and the information sharing and management requirements identified. Finally a list of the major challenges in developing a cooperation environment for VEs is presented.