Introduction

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has come a long way. From hardware standards (frequency, air link protocols, tag format, and so on) to data collection and device management, RDID technology has stabilized. Data collection, data management, and data analysis is the core of the value from RFID. The middleware collects and filters data in real time. Tracking mechanisms are based on data. The backend determines what to do with the data how to transform it so that it makes sense to the end user, how to trigger the right process, system, or device at the right time, how to provide real-time data to the existing ERP (enterprise resource planning) system so they respond in real-time, and how to generate reports and alerts based on batch processing or real-time processing of RFID data.

This chapter focuses on the basic elements of the backend, the vulnerabilities associated with it, and how to make the backend robust and secure.

Overview of Backend Systems

A backend system defines the business logic for interpreting raw RFID data and the actions associated with it. Every tag read can result in single or multiple actions, which may integrate with multiple applications, result in e-mails, or activate other devices. Events or actions may be shared by trading partners.

In order to understand the basic elements of the backend, let s use the example of a store selling orange juice and milk. The backend must do the following:

• Define the business context. Data received from the middleware is in...