Industrial applications of multi-agent technology: reality and perspectives

Since early 1990th, multi-agent technology is evaluated as one of the most perspective design and implementation technologies for industrial scale distributed applications. However, the practice has falsified all the prognoses and expectations. The paper examines the current state-of-the-art in industrial use of the multi-agent technology. It analyzes external and internal reasons preventing broad practical use of the technology and formulates the lessons learnt through this examination. Finally, the paper outlines the basic issues to be revised in order to practically realize the great potential of the multi-agent technology. The paper also shows, by example, that multi-agent technology has currently no alternative for many novel most important applications including Internet of Things.