Enabling the Semantic Web: An ECommerce Platform for Planning and Configuration of Complex Products and Services H. Schweppe, Freie Universität Berlin Computer Science Institute J. Nicklisch-Franken, Persist AG Teltow, Germany

2 Scenario A: How to publish a book? Publishing of a book is an arduous task because of... Many different activities The Web: Unbundling and disintegration of publishing and library services Time and cost restrictions Planning and coordination needs The Internet eJournal Editor Retrieval Service Lector Bank Proof Reader Advertising Service Catalogue Service Broker Evaluation Serivce Digital Library Print Shop Archive Author Publisher Reader

3 Scenario B: How to configure your computer The Internet Special graphics card manual. HW Manu- facturer A BankInternet provider Service ASP Product test results Infos Software distributor  Configuring 200 PCs for your company in an optimal way is demanding:  Different manufacturers offer different components  Application Service Providers may be a substitute for expensive Software  Conflicting requirements: cheap bundles vs demands for specific Hardware. Time and cost restrictions Planning and coordination needs HW manu- facturer B Security consultant Catalogue service

4 Common issues Composition of products and/or services from individual components Different independent, net-based resources have to be utilized Constraints on budget, time, other resources and parameters (like quality) Conflicting goals may arise Complex planning and configuration tasks Combination of planning and acting

5 Example: rules and actions available(pc) <- available(RAM,64MB,_), available(RAM,64MB,_), available(gcard,NVIDIA,1), available(assembly),... % availability of a personal computer: if its components % are available and the service to mount them. do_search(RAM, minQuantity,_, availability) <- not (onStock(RAM, quantity)). % effect: set of facts (i.e. potential suppliers % who could supply RAM within the given % constraints on quantity and availability) send_order(RAM, quantity, supplier,timeOfDelivery) <- available (RAM, quantity, supplier), cheapest(RAM, supplier), needed(RAM, quantity, targetProd ). % execution of an action

6 What is different from ‘legacy’ configuration and planning? Richness of resources on the Web Immediate availability of information about resources and services Heterogenous resources demand flexibility Intelligent search needed for filtering of components relevant for configuration step Inherent distribution of schemas, rules and processing Semantic Web Standards (XML / RDF based description) Standards for description of products and product composition

7 What is different from standard ECommerce platforms? Not just acting, but acting together with planning and configuring Acting: select a product, buy it, charge Planning and Configuration: compute a set of alternative plans, before Acting. Eg. if individual components and services have to be composed. Explicit, declarative knowledge (Not just Java) Oriented towards complex business-to-business transactions with Different time-scale e.g. publishing a book may need months rather than minutes More sophisticated goods with options and alternatives could be services ("publish a book" not just selling one !) or systems (cars, computers, and all kinds of machinery)

8 Remote Data Access Application specific search Schema Management Local Repository... Data Access and Management Planning Resource Oriented Inference Constraint SolvingConfiguration Schema Library GUI Frameworks Interfaces SimulationWorkflow... Application Adaptors... Applications.... Business Rules in middle tier Layers

9 Goals Set up a prototype system within 2 years Demonstrate feasibility of a sophisticated ECommerce platform with planning / configuration capabilities utilizing knowledge structures of the Semantic Web Interface the system with commercial platforms having a different focus (e.g. BizTalk / MS) Gain experience in a real-world-application Second phase: Transform the platform into a product

10 Joint Project Joint Project Partners Persist AG, Teltow, D Freie Universtät Berlin, D Companies / groups from other European countries have signaled their interest More partners from industry and research welcome ! All areas mentioned: Applications and application adaptation Schema and interface development Inference and Data access layers

11 To Do To Do Potential partners should make a contact with us today / tomorrow or send to | They should send in a draft proposal on the task they want to fulfill within the framework presented  Deadline is Dec 15  Workshop for final preparation of proposal mid January 2001 in Berlin / Teltow

12 Persist AG Telefon:0049 (0) 3328 / Vorstand: Jürgen Nicklisch-Franken DeutschlandTelefax:0049 (0) 3328 / AR-Vors.: Dieter Brandenburger Rheinstr. Potsdam HRB D TeltowWWW: DE