This report investigates various methods and techniques that can be used to manage processes and information flows, and to connect heterogeneous systems and users. These techniques and methods will constitute a middle layer that ties existing and future logistics systems within the network based defence. Limits and requirements for these techniques are considered and particular attention is laid upon important parameters such as security, robustness and scalability. Various and interesting methods such as distributed techniques, Web Services, etc. are investigated. Focus for the preliminary study is on agents. Three agent frameworks are more closely studied, and advantages and disadvantages with each one are discussed. In the end different propositions for the middle layer architecture are discussed and concrete recommendations on further work are suggested.