Sybase Gets Into RFID

Sybase Inc. is stepping into radio-frequency identification technology by introducing an early-adopter program. It's also teaming with AeroScout on an RFID tracking application that will let companies locate and determine the availability of critical resources using a Wi-Fi wireless network.

Sybase's RFID Early Adopter Program is a platform geared to help companies jump-start development of their RFID enterprise applications. Sybase plans to work closely with a select group of customers, system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers to help them leverage the Sybase middleware now in development. The middleware includes new technologies and existing Sybase Unwired Enterprise products that have been adapted to handle RFID requirements.

Also Monday, Sybase and wireless-networking company AeroScout said they would launch a combined RFID and Wi-Fi application to support relational database management systems, such as Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise and SQL Anywhere Studio. The application collects data from AeroScout's active RFID application and other passive RFID sources, delivering it to mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs.

Real-time visibility of key resources, such as vehicle fleets, equipment, inventory, and employees, has become an asset to businesses in the health care, logistics, manufacturing, and defense industries. RFID technology is now more frequently used to deploy these applications and as a possible strategy to garner additional revenue.