RFID to business kits

Enterprise software giant Oracle has introduced Sensor-Based Services, aimed at helping manufacturers and others looking at RFID to, “integrate sensor-based information into their enterprise systems, automate and optimise business processes, reduce risk and improve return on investment.” First up is a Compliance Assistance Package to help companies on the hit list comply with the mandates from Wal-Mart, the US Department of Defense and the like. The package includes a pre-built application coupled with services to enable rapid deployment. Then there’s a RFID Pilot Kit for companies testing prototype RFID and other sensor projects: that includes drivers for RFID readers, reporting capabilities and business intelligence tools, to provide quick connection and data visibility. The next release of Oracle Application Server 10g will enable out-of-the-box integration and device management for all RFID readers, helping companies reduce deployment time and costs. Also, new services will capture and filter data read from readers and sensors before being passed to a common data store to be analysed and distributed to all business applications. Regardless of what systems or RFID devices a company is using, or the standards they adhere to, Oracle says it will seamlessly integrate and communicate with them across the organisation. Then Oracle’s Enterprise Deployment is built on Oracle’s existing technologies – extensions of its E-Business suite, the database, grid computing and so on to get supply chain systems and connectivity working. Finally, so-called Sensor-Centric Applications are essentially also built around Oracle’s E-Business suite, essentially enabling the systems to gather RFID data automatically. Oracle Warehouse Management is already scheduled to include RFID capabilities, and the firms says other modules will follow suit shortly.