Supply chain management and NFC picking demonstrations using the AspireRfid middleware platform

Abstract

RFID middleware is a cornerstone of non-trivial RFID deployments in complex heterogeneous environments. In this demonstration, we introduce and present the AspireRfid middleware platform using demonstrators in the area of Supply Chain management and Near Field Communications. The AspireRfid platform provides support for non-trivial RFID applications in several fields including supply-chain management, logistics, access control, asset management and pharmaceuticals. In this demonstration we present a traceability application for logistics and supply chain management, as well as a pick and pack application. AspireRfid implements several building blocks of the EPCglobal architecture. However, it also extends the EPCglobal architecture with several middleware modules, which can greatly facilitate RFID application development and deployment. Hence, prior to presenting the demonstrations, we provide a brief discussion of the EPCglobal architecture and the extensions implemented by AspireRFid. We end-up with an illustration of the demonstrators.