Systems integration is the key to a successful RFID implementation, says Matt Teskey, senior product manager for Sybase iAnywhere.
"We deal with systems integrators and we do most of the back-end implementations while they do the custom code to suit their company's individual needs. We provide the building blocks for them to focus on the development of the applications they need that is core to their business," he says.
RFID Anywhere enables sensors to work together as an intelligent network by combining and co-ordinating these various technologies through a common management structure, advanced feature set and an event-driven development framework.
"With RFID Anywhere integrating business logic and processes with a wide variety of automatic data collection and sensor technologies, creating an intelligent sensor network is easy, out-of-the-box," Teskey adds.
"Solutions built with RFID Anywhere can offer unmatched intelligence and automation thanks to an event-driven architecture and multi-device support. It also means you can focus on writing business logic, and not get lost in low-level hardware complexities."
The solution supports over 40 hardware devices, including active and passive tags and readers, real-time location systems and sensors. This allows users to pick the hardware that is right for them, making it easier to incorporate newer hardware technologies in the future, says Sybase.
"With the distributed deployment and centralised management functions, you can deploy your hardware and business logic where it will be most effective," he adds.
Obstacles
Teskey notes physics is still the greatest problem influencing the adoption of RFID technology around the world. However, he says, Sybase iAnywhere partners with various vendors and companies to evaluate customer problems and come up with possible solutions.
"For instance, in the steel manufacturing and shipping business, RFID tags could not work effectively, as the steel interfered with the tag stuck flat onto it. A new tag was designed with a flap that does not come into contact with the steel product and now the steel can be tracked effectively."
Teskey says the hype of RFID and the supply chain is dying down in the US. The focus is now more on closed-loop implementations, where tracking is done internally in an organisation to assist in bettering internal processes. In Africa, he notes, asset tracking and RFID is still widely used in the "cold chain".
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