Julian Coleman

The 'Semantic Web' is a development in which software applications on one computer are able to talk directly and intelligently to software applications on any other computer via the Internet. 'Software agents' are programmes that search, reason and interact with both semantic web applications and other software agents autonomously. When combined, these technologies have the potential to drastically reduce the amount of human input into hitherto knowledge intensive activities. In SCM these applications include sourcing, procurement, partner identification, design collaboration and materials management. Effort to develop this potential is resulting in growing numbers of academic publications. Commercial software is beginning to mature and some (mainly larger) organisations are beginning to build the technology into their future supply chain plans.
This paper reviews the current status of the technological developments outlined above and presents a case for their commercial exploitation in supply chains where closer integration is a goal.