Implementation Options for Virtual Organizations: A Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Approach

Abstract

This chapter explores the challenges of constructing a distributed e-business architecture based on the concept of request-based virtual organization (RBVO). The RBVO is a value network, dynamically formed upon demand to meet identified business opportunities. The work within the framework of the European Union-sponsored LAURA project is presented, as its aim is to facilitate interregional zones of adaptive electronic commerce using, where applicable, the potential of the ebXML architecture. The LAURA realization framework outlined here addressed the structural concepts of an RBVO, based on the typical business requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The architecture proposed in our work incorporates an innovative approach to discovery and matchmaking of business partners and services that includes usage of peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. The increasing maturity of P2P-based solutions allow, where applicable, for their implementation in the business-to-business (B2B) area. The P2P concept is discussed in comparison to a more traditional client–server approach in this chapter.