An agent-based simulation testbed for evaluating internet-based matching mechanisms

The aim of the research presented in this paper is to develop a simulation testbed to support businesses in their decision-making about the potential use of electronic matching mechanisms. Matching mechanisms are used to match supply and demand of independent selling and buying organizations, each having their own goals, requirements and interests. The autonomous characteristics of agent-based systems and process orientation of discrete-event simulation are combined in our agent-based simulation testbed. In this way both the autonomous trading behavior of organizations and their business processes can be simulated. Several pre-defined components containing the behavior of various kinds of matching mechanism have been developed. These components can be further customized to model an empirical situation more closely. The approach is illustrated with a case study in the computer market.