Mobile Agent-Based Auction Services

Abstract

Electronic Commerce: A Booming Industry There is now a gradual shift of many of the traditional business models from the real world to the Internet platform; of these models, auction service is most successful. The existence and development of numerous auction Web sites, such as eBay and OnSale Inc., have demonstrated the survivability of electronic auctions in online transactions. However, current Web-based systems suffer from shortcomings in the following aspects: • Fairness and Friendliness: Due to the different conditions of Internet connections, users across different regions may suffer from the inadequacy of limited bandwidth, especially when participating bidders are distributed across the world. This global nature also makes online auctions difficult to adapt to the potential users across the world. • Security and Privacy: Security concern is one of the important issues users consider when using electronic transactions. Many users also wish to be guaranteed of privacy when doing business. • Intelligence and Flexibility: The vast majority of electronic auction customers are not Internet experts but ordinary people that do not know much about the technical details. Current Web-based auction systems require too much user intervention. It would be commercially profitable if intelligent assistance is provided.