Abstract
There is an increasing interest in exploring the opportunities for competitive advantage that arise from reinforcing core competencies and innovative capabilities of the individual companies, and by forming integrated supply networks. In complex and dynamic environments such as the automotive and semiconductor industries, managing and co-ordinating the procurement of materials, their transformation into intermediate and finished products, and the distribution to the final customers, are very demanding tasks in terms of information systems. In general, current available software packages do not provide the full support needed for networked and distributed organizations, and are clearly insufficient in what concerns the planning and coordination activities needed in these heterogeneous environments. In order to adequately tackle these problems, this work proposes a multi-agent system architecture for real-time customer-order planning in distributed manufacturing enterprises, addressing the requirements of a make-to-order environment. The present research work resulted from the Co-OPERATE European Project. Enhanced visibility of information, early warning of disturbances, synchronized production and collaborative planning in the supply chain are the general goals of the project. In particular, for aggregate planning and order promising, a distributed and decentralized information system, based on an architecture of agents and extensively using the internet, was designed and implemented. This system aims at responding to the basic requirements of cooperativeness, integration and configurability, and at providing new and more powerful decision support.

Abstract
The development of information and communication technologies determined enterprises to adapt their way of undertaking business, from traditional practices to e-business. In this context, achieving seamless interoperability among heterogeneous entities becomes a critical issue. The goal of this article is to present an innovative two-layered operational infrastructure aiming at achieving seamless interoperability in shoe manufacturing up-stream segment, developed within the scope of CEC-made-shoe European Integrated Project.

Abstract
Economic factors and developments of information and communication technologies have forced SMEs to engage in new organizational structures. The emergent process oriented collaborative networks require integration between distributed and heterogeneous infrastructures. The aim of this article is to present the approach for business process integration and management developed for the footwear sector within the scope of an EU project. Lessons learned and an agenda for future research work are then described. A brief overview of relevant enabling technologies is also made.

Abstract
E-business has emerged as a key enabler for information integration and interoperability in collaborative networks. This paper presents a service-oriented approach towards creating an ICT platform for the footwear industry, which has been tested for specific business scenarios and answers industry requirements. Other related works are discussed and analyzed, emphasizing the innovative aspects and advantages of this initiative.

Abstract
The Digital Business Ecosystem paradigm emerged worldwide as an approach supporting the adoption and development of interoperable infrastructures among SMEs, supporting them to achieve their goals efficiently. The aim of this article is to present a novel three-layered approach towards the creation of a digital business ecosystem for the shoe manufacturing domain, following ebXML scenario and framework, and using open-source software. Relevant related works are also discussed, emphasizing the innovative aspects and advantages of this novel approach.

Abstract
This paper describes an order planning system for dynamic supply chains, addressing the requirements of a make-to-order business environment. A distributed and decentralized information system based on an architecture of agents and extensively using the internet was designed and implemented, so as to enable new and more powerful decision support. The system aims at responding to the basic requirements of cooperativeness, integration and configurability. It was developed under the scope of the IST European Project Co-OPERATE and implements the functionality defined in the context of the 'request feasibility studies for the network' (ReFS) business solution.