Forrester Research Evaluates the Emerging Market of RFID Middleware

RFID mandates from the US Department of Defense and companies like Target, Wal-Mart, Metro-AG, and Tesco have created a short-term urgency around suppliers' RFID plans. According to Forrester Research, Inc., a new breed of software called RFID middleware will allow suppliers to take advantage of the long-term benefits of RFID implementation.

"Many suppliers have found themselves in a position in which — in the short term — they must implement RFID to comply with high-profile mandates," says Forrester Research Vice President and Research Director Sharyn Leaver. "In order to gain long-term benefits, these suppliers need to intelligently incorporate the data they are collecting to make improvements to their overall business processes. RFID middleware is the tool that companies will use to manage RFID data by routing it between tag readers and the multitude of systems within their businesses."

To assess the state of the RFID middleware market, Forrester evaluated 13 middleware vendors using the Forrester Wave™ methodology, including approximately 75 criteria. The following companies, which include RFID pure play vendors, application vendors, platform giants, and integration specialists, were included in the assessment: ConnecTerra, GlobeRanger, IBM, Manhattan Associates, Microsoft, OATSystems, Oracle, RF Code, SAP, Savi Technology, Sun Microsystems, TIBCO Software, and webMethods.

Many early RFID middleware solutions focus on features like reader integration and coordination, and basic data filtering capabilities. As the market matures, middleware platforms will need to include a deeper set of capabilities including: reader and device management, data management, application integration, partner integration, process management and application development, packaged RFID content, and architecture scalability and administration.

Forrester conducted two Wave assessments. The first evaluates RFID middleware vendors for early adopters, whose main focus is complying with RFID mandates.

The second Wave assessment used different criteria weightings to reflect features that will matter most in broad, long-term deployments. Features like architecture scalability, integration, and process management will become essential in broad deployments.