Possibilities of application of agent-based systems to support functioning of e-manufacturing environment

This article presents the analysis of a possibility of application of agent-based technology in the e-manufacturing environment. The philosophy of e-manufacturing is a response to the demand of gaining the competitive advantage as a result of a simultaneous reduction of goods/materials in stock and the increase of the quality level of customer service. It consists in the complete integration of the company’s environment, i.e. the areas connected with production and the areas related to company’s administration and management. It may be done on the basis of communication applying cutting-edge IT technology with the use of intelligent IT techniques. Agent-based systems constitute a relatively new approach to analysing, designing as well as implementing scattered applications meant to be used in the dynamic environment of emanufacturing. © (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.