5. Architecture/structure

Historically, vendors developed RFID middleware based on customer requests to integrate RFID solutions into different IT environments. These solutions then evolved to support the roles and functionalities described above. As a result, there are many different software organizations developed on different information system architectures.

Today, four types of solution have been identified among existing products. RFID middleware solutions are deployed in the form of either :

• an independent, stand-alone software application;

• software components installed in the infrastructure servers of an enterprise software module (ERP, WMS, etc.);

• a module embedded in RFID readers.

Solutions can also be a mix of these structures...