Goddard, Wayne.Reddy, Kamil.2012-02-172012-02-1720022002http://hdl.handle.net/10413/5046Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.This study deals with the Distributed Buying Problem, that is, the problem faced by geographically distributed businesses when it comes to optimising buyer time and global businesses resources. It adopts a software agent-based approach to the problem. A literature survey was carried out to review the relatively new field of software agents and mobile agents in particular. The role of agents in electronic commerce was also studied. A mobile agent system was then designed and implemented to serve as a proof-ofconcept system for an agent-based solution to the problem. The design and implementation are then discussed.enElectronic commerce.Mobile agents (Computer software)Industrial procurement.Computer software.Theses--Computer science.Thesis