What type of software or middleware does our company need to install on our servers as part of an RFID system?
—Taha, Libya
———
Dear Taha,
There are many different middleware products on the market that can take data from a network of readers, filter it and direct it to the correct back-end system. The right choice really depends on the types of interrogators you use, the amount of functionality you need the software to perform and the nature of your back-end systems.
If your company runs SAP‘s R3 enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, for instance, you might want to use that company’s AII middleware to keep the integration simple. If you need to map the flow of data to your business processes, you might consider utilizing a highly configurable middleware product, such as Globeranger‘s offering.
You can conduct a search for middleware in our online Buyer’s Guide to learn more about the wide variety of products currently available. Just visit www.rfidjournal.com/vendors, check the Product or Service (eg. Technology Consulting) box, then check Middleware and hit Search.
—Mark Roberti, Editor, RFID Journal