RF Middleware Features and Providers.

[Former Member]

Can someone give me some information regarding what all functionalities does a RF middleware system perform.

I am also looking for a list of RF middleware providers that can handle SAP server downtime and ensure that the Warehouse transactions are still operational.

Thanks

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Rohit

A)RFID middleware Features

RFID middleware is a new class of middleware being developed by startups and established players. RFID middleware serves as a "traffic cop" for RFID data.

RFID middleware assists with the filtering, aggregation, and routing of RFID data. The middleware has built-in business rules that monitor the data stream and direct data to appropriate enterprise systems. Many products under development are based on specifications (largely Savant specifications) developed by EPCglobal, Inc. (formerly the MIT Auto-ID Center). However, too much emphasis cannot be place on the Savant specifications at this time. Savant is not the de facto standard or the only available router between EPC and the customer's network or software application.

For the scope of this study RFID middleware solutions feature sets include data monitoring/management, device monitoring/management, and application development tools. According to VDC research, primary high-level RFID middleware usage drivers include:

The ability to allow many applications to share resources with one common interface to the middleware as opposed to a separate interface for each application;

Capturing and storing data until it has been recorded by the database; and

The many standard middleware interfaces such as COBRA, DCOM, ODBC, OLEDB.

B)Middleware Providers

Which RFID Middleware Is Best?

A report from Forrester evaluates 13 software providers to determine whose solutions offer the best features for today, and tomorrow.(This is the a older report year-2004 but can be useful)

The software vendors covered in the report fall into four broad areas:

<b>1.RFID pure plays</b>

ConnecTerra, GlobeRanger, OATSystems, Savi Technology and RF Code;

<b>2.application vendors</b>

Manhattan Associates and SAP; platform giants Sun Microsystems, IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft;

<b>3.Integration specialists webMethods</b>

Tibco Software. Provia Software and RedPrairie were compared with the others in the report because their RFID middleware functionality relies on software from two companies already included—namely Sun and RF Code.

The report concludes that for companies deploying RIFD systems now, Manhattan Associates, OATSystems and SAP provide the best middleware features such as reader integration, data filtering and EPC track-and-trace tools.

You will get the details from this link

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/1106

I would like to add BEA and SYBASE to the list.

RFID lOGIC has its middleware namely Shadowfax™,

Check the link below

http://www.rfidlogic.com/middleware.htm

There is a company in India based out of Bangalore,Analytica India Private Limited provide a middleware namely,

<b>Analytica RFID Integrated Enterprise Savant System (ARIES)</b>

You can go through this link for details

http://www.bitpipe.com/detail/RES/1090760192_664.html

I suppose this information should be useful

Thanks and Regards,

Pawan

*Reward points and close the query if the problem is solved.

Message was edited by: Pawan Khilari

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Pawan,

I greatly appreciate your detailed response. I want to confirm if this is applicable to "RFID" or also to contemporary SAP RF/Webconsole technology.

I am particularly looking for middleware information with regards to SAP RF/Web Console architecture.

An example of such provider is the following company:

http://www.acsisinc.com/solware.html

(link specifically points to their solution)

I hope you can further help me on these lines.

Thanks...

rohit.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Rohit,

My previous reply was applicable to RFID in general.

I have now understood the crux of ur query and here is the solution.

Here are the standard companies who provide a middleware solution you are looking for with regards to SAP RF/Web Console architecture.

1.INTREMEC TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

They have develope a middleware in association with CATALYST INTERNATIONAL,mentioned below
www.intermec.com

2.PSION TECHLOGIX

http://www.psionteklogix.com/public.aspx?s=us&p=RFID#link4
Some of their middleware solution
TEKConsole™: I/O Engine for SAP Console™
TekRF: Wireless Data Collection System

3.CATALYST INTERNATIONAL,INC

www.catalystinternational.com
This is their middleware

CatalystConnect™ SAPConsole™

Mobilize Your Enterprise for Greater Productivity with SAPConsole and Catalyst.
Integrate True Real-time Wireless Data Collection for All SAP® Application Areas

4.LXE Inc. & Peak Technologies

www.lxe.com

The company you mentioned also seems to be a good option.

There may be many more options .I have listed some best ones.Now you have to go through them and compare their features.

For your further help I am sending you the PDF doc of the middleware products of the companies mentioned above.

I got ur email(rohit.79@gmail.com) from one of the thread addressed to me(related to handling unit).

I suppose this should help you.

Thanks

Pawan.

*Reward points and close the query if satisfied

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Rohit,

I have also sent you the document on Handling Unit which you had requested in another thread.

Regards,

Pawan