Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is rapidly changing the way businesses track inventory and assets. From Wal-Mart and Tesco to the U.S. Department of Defense, early efforts are already showing benefits, but software, integration, and data processing for RFID still present a challenge. If you are a developer or an architect charged with developing an RFID system, this book is for you. Drawing on extensive experience, Bill Glover and Himanshu Bhatt provide you with essential information on this emerging technology.

With the knowledge you gain in these pages, you will possess the information and understanding you need to start designing, building, or integrating with RFID systems.

In RFID Essentials you will find information on:

• Tags and tag protocols, including the Electronic Product Code (EPC)

• Readers and reader protocols

• RFID middleware

• Security and privacy

• Managing RFID devices

• RFID's impact on your architecture

Bill Glover has been writing software since 1981 and has worked as a programmer, lead developer, or architect on systems of all sizes, from small, automated systems controlling dams and feedmills up to a complete redesign and reimplementation of one of the world's busiest travel web sites. Bill first worked with RFID in 1995, tracking individual cattle using ear tags. He is currently a Senior Java Architect with Sun Microsystems, Inc., and works with Sun's RFID consulting practice and the RFID Test Center.

Himanshu Bhatt heads the U.S. RFID Practice and Software Technology Lab for Sun Microsystems, Inc. Prior to assuming this role, Himanshu was responsible for business development and consulting in emerging areas of technology. Himanshu has over 16 years of experience in the architecture and development of distributed, multitier systems using a host of technologies for Fortune 1000 companies. Himanshu has spoken at industry conferences such as JavaOne and the LoneStar Symposium and has published articles on Java/J2EE technologies.

"The Information Age is over. We're entering an era where network connectivity is almost ubiquitous - it's participate or perish." --Jonathan Schwartz, President and COO, Sun Microsystems, Inc.

"Unique competitive advantage erupts from enterprises that couple the RFID technologies laid out in RFID Essentials with modern business integration using service-oriented architectures. This is the book to read in order to understand this new landscape." --Mark Bauhaus, Senior Vice President, Sun Microsystems, Inc.

"This is a must read for RFID Software and Solution architects and is highly recommended for anyone needing to gain more insight into the myriad of components, standards and technologies that make up an RFID solutions environment." --Bryan Tracey, Chief Architect, GlobeRanger Corporation

"The authors have done a commendable job of covering a lot of ground in the RFID space, including the infrastructure needed to share the volumes of data RFID will likely generate." --Graham Gillen, Senior Product Manager, VeriSign

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 15 Ratings

Excellent overview - 2006-11-21
Reviewer Rating:
I've read several RFID books and this one is excellent. Good overview, plenty of detail, well organized and well written (i.e. readable).

One of the Two Top Books on RFID - 2007-04-22
Reviewer Rating:
I found this book one of the top two books in the field of RFID; the othe rone being RFID+ by Dr. Paul Sanghera. This book offers a comprehensive coverage of the RFID topics. But if you are a beginner, you should read Dr. Sanghera's book befroe reading this one.
Excellent book; highly recommended.

Great book - 2007-06-07
Reviewer Rating:
This book is great it has everithing you want to know about rfid thanks

Review of "RFID Essentials" purchase - 2006-11-11
Reviewer Rating:
The book was in excellent condition, and the service was prompt!

VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 2006-09-14
Reviewer Rating:
Are you a developer or systems architect or project manager? If you are, then this book is for you! Authors Bill Glover and Himanshu Bhatt, have done an outstanding job of writing a book that shows you how to get that first RFID prototype out the door.

Glover and Bhatt, begin by defining RFID and introduce some of the fundamental concepts. Then, the authors describe the parts of an RFID system, their relationships to each other, and some of the functional and service-level requirements specific to RFID.
Next, the authors describe the tags that attach an identity to an item and communicate that identity to readers. The authors then examine how tags talk to readers. They continue by describing the readers that communicate with tags and connect RFID-tagged items to the network. Then, the authors cover how readers talk to middleware and applications. They then describe the middleware that manages RFID information and edge devices. Next, they examine the storage and use of RFID information. Then, they discuss some of the specific concerns related to managing RFID devices on the edge of the network. Next, the authors discuss real concerns regarding the impact of RFID on security and privacy, as well as dispelling some of the myths. Finally, they continue by providing a look at where RFID may take you in the next few years.

This most excellent book allows you to understand the major elements in an RFID system. More importantly, it shows you how to divide work, set goals, and understand vendor proposals.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Business
IT Management
Security
Software Engineering

Sub-Categories:
Business > Project Management
IT Management > Asset Management
Security > Software Engineering
Software Engineering > Security and Cryptography
Software Engineering > Security and Cryptography