impact agents for logistics

T.J. Rogers, V.S. Subrahmanian

Department of Computer Science

University of Maryland

{rogers,vs}@cs.umd.edu

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IMPACT Agents for Logistics

21999 IMPACT Workshop

Credits Joint effort with:

US Army Logistics Integration Agency (POCs: Bobby White, Jeffrey Shields, Miranda Moore)

US Military Academy, West Point (POCs: LTC. Jack Marin, LTC. Ron Byrnes, and MAJ. Joseph Schafer)

University of Maryland (POCs: T.J. Rogers, V.S.Subrahmanian)

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Army Logistics Integration Agency(LIA)

LIA has a “Virtual Operations Center” concept which will: allow analysts integrated

access to a variety of data sources (AWR, AA)

allow analysts to “pipe” results of data access to planning, analysis and visualization tools.

allow analysts to register mission-critical conditions they need to track and couple actions to the evaluation of such conditions.

Conditionsto Track

Data/software sources

analystsupdates

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Army War Reserves Data Sets 4 AWR data sets used so far:

LOGTAADS data sets - 2 files containing multi-table, multi-record structures.

ORACLE data - 2 data sets. Distributed machines, running

two OSs - Unix and NT. Logisticians can specify

conditions they want to monitor.

Logisticians can specify actions (e.g. send-mail, post web page, etc.) to be taken when these conditions are triggered.

Java Client

LOGTADDS Files

NT 4.0 Server

Web and Remote HERMES Servers

Network

Equip RU and APS-LOC Files

Solaris 2.5 Workstation

Solaris 2,5 Workstation

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Example John Smith wants to track the

quantity of supply items in the “P” category on the ship “Alexandria”.

When the quantity drops below an 95% fill (I.e. the Alexandria has less than 95% of the “P” items it should have), he wants an email sent to him

Two steps: John Smith interacts with IMPACT

Logistics Agent Interface (see right).

IMPACT Logistics Agent tracks changes to data for all conditions and triggers actions.

Logistics AgentInterface

ConditionAction Base

IMPACTLogisticsAgent

Dataagents

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Commander Interface

Insert Jason’s screendump here

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ActionLog Screendump

Insert screendump of action log (Rob)

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Example action status set

Insert screendump from AgentDE

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Timing data

Insert screendump from AgentDE

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Step 1: Data agent ships update info to Logistics Agent.

NetworkNetworkLogisticsLogisticsAgentAgent

Data agent

Logistics Agent, I

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Logistics Agent, IILogistics Agent, II

Step 2:Logistics agent evaluates conditions of interestto different users.

NetworkNetwork MediatorMediator

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Logistics Agent, IIILogistics Agent, III

Step 3: Logistics Agent takes appropriate actions (e.g.providing email notifications, performing computations,etc.)

NetworkNetwork MediatorMediator

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Work to be Performed in year 3 Develop incremental algorithm to evaluate effect of data

changes on conditions of interest. Develop algorithm to “merge” multiple interests together

so as to reduce system load. Extend the range of AWR data sets. Extend the range of analytic, planning and decision tools

used in AWR Logistics Agent. Extend the range of actions taken by AWR agent to

handle database updates (already supported in IMPACT, but not in this application).

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Addendum: Connection interface

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Addendum:Action method library

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Addendum:Agent Roost view-port