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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Credits
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Joint effort with:
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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)
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LIA has a “Virtual Operations
Center” concept which will:
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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.
Conditions
to Track
Data/software
sources
analysts
updates
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Army War Reserves Data Sets
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4 AWR data sets used so far:
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LOGTAADS data sets - 2 files
containing multi-table, multirecord 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.
NT 4.0 Server
Solaris 2.5
Workstation
Equip RU and APSLOC Files
Network
Solaris 2,5
Workstation
LOGTADDS
Files
Java
Client
Web and Remote
HERMES Servers
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Example

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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:
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John Smith interacts with IMPACT
Logistics Agent Interface (see
right).
IMPACT Logistics Agent tracks
changes to data for all conditions
and triggers actions.
Logistics Agent
Interface
IMPACT
Logistics
Agent
Condition
Action Base
Data
agents
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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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Logistics Agent, I
Data agent
Network
Logistics
Agent
Step 1: Data agent ships update info to Logistics Agent.
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Logistics Agent, II
Network
Mediator
Step 2:Logistics agent evaluates conditions of interest
to different users.
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Logistics Agent, III
Network
Mediator
Step 3: Logistics Agent takes appropriate actions (e.g.
providing email notifications, performing computations,
etc.)
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Work to be Performed in year 3
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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
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