B2B Integration : A Practical Guide to Collaborative E-commerce

Software
Software Code
XML Document
Software
Agent
Software Code
Exchange
of XML
XML Document
Messages J"""*'
Figure 13.8. — XML-based agent communication
Software Agents 403
BRML: ENABLING COMMUNICATION AMONG
DISPARATE AGENTS
BRML (Business Rules for Electronic Commerce) is an 'XML Rule
Interlingua for Agent Communication, based on Courteous/Ordinary
Logic Programs'. It is used in connection with 'CommonRules' from
IBM and was developed in connection with IBM's business rules for
e-commerce project.
CommonRules provides innovative XML interoperability and
prioritized conflict handling capabilities. Using CommonRules, a seller
Website or application can communicate its business policy rules
about pricing, promotions, customer service provisions for refunds
and cancellation, ordering lead-time and other contractual terms and
conditions to a customer application/agent, even when the seller's
rules are implemented using a different rule system to that in which
the buyer's rules are implemented. The customer application/agent
can then understand and assimilate those rules into its own business
logic. Similarly, using CommonRules a customer can communicate
with its suppliers RFQs/RFPs, including detailed conditions and
policies expressed in rules, e.g., in supply chain settings.
Source: IBM Corp.
However, XML is only a 'grammar', i.e., a standard for how to use
markup tags. It does not define any term or word in the language. In
order for agents to communicate in a multi-agent environment over the
Internet, there has to be a common vocabulary, which is available to
and understood by all agents.