Microsoft Introduces New Lightweight Mobile Platform

RFID Journal LIVE! 2008 was the stage where the Redmond company unveiled its latest project in the area of mobile communications. Microsoft BizTalk RFID Mobile is designed as a lightweight platform aimed to ensure seamless integration with diverse mobile devices. According to the company, BizTalk RFID Mobile will serve to streamline the building and integration of mobile applications. In the end, the focus of the new platform is to simplify access to real-time business information.

"Given today's fast-paced environment, customers have asked for business process technologies that enable real-time decision-making to help drive measurable business results. Together, with leading industry partners including Motorola Inc., Intermec Technologies Corp., Unitech, Samsung and Psion Teklogix Inc., we will deliver a cost-effective, mobile RFID platform that works with existing business processes and systems," revealed Burley Kawasaki, director of product management in the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft.

In this context, BizTalk RFID Mobile is positioned as a critical link in the transmitting data from mobile devices to core areas of enterprise processes. What the Redmond company is attempting is an extension of its current offerings focused on service-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management (BPM) capabilities. As of April 17, the Redmond company started offering for download a private beta of BizTalk RFID Mobile. The BizTalk RFID Mobile Technology Adoption Program (TAP) is available via Connect. At this point in time. Microsoft plans to offer the final version of BizTalk RFID Mobile by the end of 2008.

"BizTalk RFID Mobile represents an exciting opportunity for Motorola to build on our track record of delivering innovative products to meet customer needs. Motorola is actively working with Microsoft so that our customers will be able to reliably and seamlessly run applications on BizTalk RFID Mobile," added Joe White, vice president of RFID business development for Motorola Enterprise Mobility.