RFID systems bolster integration

The ability of firms to extract useful information from radio frequency identification (RFID) systems was bolstered last week as Sun Microsystems and IBM upgraded middleware to handle the large quantities of data that firms are gaining from wireless tags.

Launched at the annual RFID World event in Dallas, version 3.0 of Sun's Java System RFID software is designed to simplify the deployment and administration of RFID networks. It also provides tighter integration with business applications that can present supply chain data from RFID tags.

Sam Liu, director of RFID products at Sun, said that the growing number of tag deployments, including major rollouts by retail giants Wal-Mart and Tesco, is generating a lot of data for firms to process. “RFID middleware can play a key role in helping companies to manage all this data and extract the key, pertinent information they need to help them make business decisions,” he added.

The latest version of the software boasts certified integration with SAP’s Auto-ID Infrastructure technology for handling RFID data, which Sun claimed will allow data to flow from any RFID device into MySAP business apps. The footprint of the software has also been reduced, allowing it to be embedded in more readers and handheld devices so data can be processed at the edge of the network.

IBM, meanwhile, debuted a new service to help companies deploy RFID technology to track critical resources, such as high-value or hazardous materials. It also launched WebSphere Premises Server Version 1.1, an upgraded middleware server that lets firms tag items at manufacturing-line speeds.

This server can also be integrated with firms’ service-oriented architecture (SOA) environments, according to IBM. This should help enterprises more rapidly distribute the supply chain information gained from tags, such as inventory, shipping and billing data.

Separately, Microsoft demonstrated the beta version of its RFID infrastructure. The vendor refused to be drawn on dates for a public beta and full launch, but confirmed that the product will include device- and event-management functionality. It will also feature an open API to let partners build industry-specific applications based on the platform.

Experts said the latest product upgrades from Sun and IBM, together with similar tools already available from rivals SAP, Oracle and BEA, underline the growing maturity of RFID systems and could help organisations to gain greater business benefits from wireless tag technology.

René Schrama of RFID reader manufacturer Symbol Technologies pointed out that the latest middleware could make it easier and quicker for firms to access and act on data gained from tags.

“RFID hardware only allows you to configure and capture RFID data,” Schrama said. “To get use out of that you need to integrate it with business applications and that is effectively what these large software players are offering.”

However, Schrama predicted that improvements in middleware would do little to increase demand for RFID systems until there is more agreement on standards for the technology in Europe. “Once we have fully agreed standards on how many [radio frequency] channels can be used then it will be possible to get a complete RFID solution,” Schrama added.