Agent-Based Tool Integration for Distributed Information Systems

We present an approach for the integration of existing tools into higher-level application systems such as is required for workflow management, computer integrated manufacturing and computer-assisted software engineering. Tool integration is achieved through the introduction of agents which monitor and control the operation of the tool and provide an abstract view of the local data and operations. Then the management of data is distributed among the local tools and a central coordination system. Agent functionality is described in terms of both a general architecture and an examination of two specific agents — one for a revision control system and one for a CAD system. Following this, we present a general scheme for agent construction based on tool classification.