Early adopters and evaluators of Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) middleware are providing clear input on how to define, develop and deliver RFID middleware solutions. The market is elevating the need for RFID middleware to fulfill the promise of RFID ROI. From 10-year operators of automated toll collection systems to 10-week evaluators of closed-loop industrial machinery tracking solutions, the fragmented RFID market is in alignment on what RFID middleware should do, and how it should be delivered.

To date, most of the attention has been placed on RFID hardware development: interrogators, transponders, antennae, printer/encoders, etc. Work in the hardware arena has produced rapid gains in solution performance, density and affordability. However, the results have not yet been powerful enough to clearly define, or deliver on, roughly defined value propositions in most market opportunities.

Why? The focus of RFID hardware development has been on producing solid signals that create clean, accurate data—a lot of data. The notion of developers focusing on managing RFID solution data—or data generating devices—was akin to putting the cart before the horse, or naming children before we had significant others.

No longer. VDC’s research on the emerging and fragmented market for RFID middleware reveals that current users and evaluators of RFID solutions are fairly clear on what RFID middleware needs to do and how it needs to be delivered.

The Market requirement for RFID Middleware Functionality—Five features dominate customer requirements for critical RFID middleware functionality:

1. Provide consistent interface for RFID interrogator infrastructure. Standard interfaces—human, machine, network, application—do not exist across various RFID interrogator solutions.
2. Data filtering and transport. Users cite the varied methods used to filter, compile and route RFID data traffic as a key challenge during the implementation and integration process.
3. Manage RFID reader/ interrogator infrastructure (device management). Key functions cited by users and evaluators included local and remote health and wellness monitoring, upgradeable software/ configuration, and management and remote power on/ off.
4. Support multiple host platforms requesting RFID data. RFID is expected to be deployed in a wide range of applications and installation environments.
5. Support legacy systems. In order to maximize ROI potential using RFID—or to meet emerging compliance requirements—users need to support legacy systems.