Software Agent-Mediated Internet Trading Framework

Abstract

In recent years Internet trading has seen explosive growth and will have a major impact in shaping future markets. It will certainly be very advantageous if Internet trading can be made more automated and secure than is currently the case. This would dramatically reduce the time and energy spent by customers. This chapter focuses on applying software agent technology together with cryptographic technology towards automating and securing the processes of negotiation and payment, which are the principal and most time-consuming steps during Internet trading. A software agent-mediated Internet trading framework integrating negotiation and payment procedures is proposed.