Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • IT Management
    • Mobile

    Microsoft Reveals Details of Its RFID Infrastructure

    By
    Renee Boucher Ferguson
    -
    February 28, 2006
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      DALLAS—Microsoft Corp. revealed at this weeks RFID World conference here that it is developing an RFID infrastructure—one that its claims will affordably handle device management, event management, integration and application development.

      The infrastructure, in beta since January, is really an expansion of a middleware strategy Microsoft introduced just about a year ago.

      In April 2004, Microsoft announced the formation of an RFID Partner Council to look at its options for building out RFID-based software.

      Nearly a year later, on Feb. 17, 2005, the company announced “continued momentum” on its RFID strategy that included a Windows-based RFID middleware platform, the RFID-enablement of three out of four of its ERP (enterprise resource planning) suites, and a healthy mix of partners that are developing related software on Microsofts nascent RFID platform.

      At the time, Microsoft provided few details of its platform, saying only that it would be enable the development, implementation and scalability of RFID software and hardware, with functionality that focuses on device abstraction, data modification and data transformation.

      During his Feb. 28 breakout discussion at this weeks Dallas event, Alok Ahuja, senior product manager of RFID at Microsoft, provided more color.

      Ahuja steered away from calling the product middleware, and instead referred to Microsofts RFID infrastructure.

      He defined the bottom layer as a device management layer that will include functionality from Microsoft, and from its partners as well.

      “We are working with a large range of hardware partners who are building out and surfacing [functionality] in the event manager,” said Ahuja.

      The second layer is an event management layer that includes a business rules engine culled from Microsofts BizTalk Server.

      The rules engine will enable the system to collect data from readers and transform it, but also to write to readers and commission tags as well.

      This layer also includes open APIs, built on a .Net framework, to connect with other systems.

      /zimages/4/28571.gifTo read more about Microsofts RFID strategy, click here.

      “This is really a very partner-centric product [geared toward] hardware vendors and system integrators,” said Ahuja.

      “We are providing the guts, where you can connect with different vendors.”

      Similar to rival Oracles Fusion Middleware architecture that is “hot pluggable,” Microsofts RFID infrastructure will present a pluggable architecture for customizable components, “with data coming in from RFID readers and a pluggable database,” said Ahuja. “It could be SQL [Server]; it could be another.”

      This being the first beta of the product, all the decisions have not been made as to what the final infrastructure will look like.

      Ahuja said his team is looking at different options, going through an internal debate as to whether an EAI (enterprise application integration) component requires bundling BizTalk, or whether it should be a stand-alone product.

      “We are grappling with the strategy,” said Ahuja. “Our overall strategy is to make it very affordable, so we are grappling with the right strategy.”

      One thing is certain—the product will require SQL Express, “so if youre writing business rules and the data is stored, it can be a pluggable thing,” said Ahuja.

      The product is being geared for Microsoft partners and ISVs (independent software vendors) that want to build on top of the platform, as well as for those customers that want to build their own RFID scenarios, according to Ahuja.

      Despite several pressing questions from audience members, Ahuja declined to confirm a release date—though an attendee confirmed quietly that he would not wait “another three years” for a product.

      The main point for Microsoft is getting it right, according to Ahuja.

      “Weve given it to some partners and customers, and we want to shake it out, get some more customer feedback,” he said. “The market isnt going anywhere.”

      /zimages/4/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis about productivity and business solutions.

      Renee Boucher Ferguson

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×