RFID Middleware

RFID Middleware is intended to help customers streamline the deployment of RFID initiatives.

SAP unveils RFID Middleware: SAP launched infrastructure software designed to help companies manage and communicate data captured by wireless inventory tags based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID tags store information about a particular item and transmit that data to nearby receivers. In a retail setting, RFID technology can be used for communicating supply chain information such as an item's manufacturer, size and color, as well as when the item was shipped, from where and its destination.

SAP's RFID Middleware is designed to help companies build an RFID infrastructure that can support wireless-enabled business processes. In particular, SAP's software will help manage the massive amounts of data that are written to and read from RFID tags, and integrate that data into traditional business applications. SAP is not alone in developing RFID-focused wares. A slew of software and hardware vendors have unveiled RFID products over the last couple of years, aiming to grab a share of what analysts say is a burgeoning market for RFID technology.

RFID Middleware Market Competition Heats Up: In recent months, RFID Middleware has become increasingly familiar to those looking to better understand the supply chain RFID equation. No longer only is the domain of enterprise-to-enterprise connection software, a new version of middleware laying claim to a market segment created by RFID. With this, a number of companies, new and established, are positioning themselves to reap revenue rewards at the network edge.

i2 Joins RFID Middleware Makers: i2 Technologies is partnering with a number of RFID Middleware and enterprise applications vendors so that its supply chain management applications can be linked to RFID networks. i2 has more than 1,000 customers, including a number of the world’s biggest companies. The program allows RFID Middleware vendors to certify that their software works with i2 applications, thereby enabling the vendors to offer a packaged solution targeting i2 customers around the world.

The company believes that the combination of RFID with its applications will turn data collected by RFID into more meaningful intelligence that enables effective decision making and increases the value of RFID deployments. In addition, the partnership program will identify relevant supply chain management work flow and processes that can benefit from RFID and also will identify specific RFID events and data that can benefit supply chain management solutions. One of the world’s leading providers of supply chain management applications has launched a program to help integrate its software with RFID systems. The company maintains that its RFID partner program is similar to other programs that have provided its applications with connectivity to other types of technology, such as point-of-sale and bar code systems.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Middleware Solutions—Global Market Opportunity: For nearly 20 years, VDC has been the leading source of market research and consulting services for a host of AIDC/RFID software, hardware, and systems solutions, as well as other mobile computing and wireless communications. For all the suppliers of RFID Middleware whose stock is publicly traded, VDC will obtain and analyze statements of quarterly earnings, 10Ks, 10Qs, annual reports, financial analysts’ reports and rating agency reports. In the case of privately-held corporations, VDC will obtain and analyze Dunn & Bradstreet reports as well as financial information from other third-party sources.

As the adoption and integration of RFID technology increases, the amount of high-volume, real-time data exchange will also increase, and at a faster rate. How will companies monitor and manage this massive amount of data effectively? The answer is RFID Middleware. RFID Middleware is the software layer that resides between RFID readers (and other data capture technologies such as GPS and bar code) and enterprise applications. This middleware serves as the connectivity and porting "glue" which allows companies to process unstructured data taken from their sensing devices and direct this data to their various information systems. RFID middleware is a software platform that will enable users to monitor and manage the devices themselves and workflow of assets. The result is an improved business operating efficiency, and ultimately, an improved bottom line.