Think about it: what do you need from RFID middleware? Probably the same thing you need from barcode middleware- not much. The recent proliferation of high-cost, RFID related application platforms and the perceived need for them is mostly hype generated by companies that have invested too much time and money on solving problems that just do not exist. If you need EPC tag type filtering, duplicate removal, SAP integration and simple device interaction- why do you need a huge middleware platform running on a $50,000 server? Well, the answer is: you don't. The fact of the matter is that, as time progresses, and most RFID readers become more intelligent, the need for a high-cost, high maintenance, server-based RFID platform that requires a new enterprise skill set to manage becomes more and more unclear. Most RFID projects require a simple, extensible, cost-effective distributed application architecture that delivers flexibility where business rules demand it. That platform is the Apostrophe XAPA platform.
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What is Apostrophe XAPA and why is it a smarter, better choice?
XAPA is an Integration Engine
XAPA, of course, comes out of the box with RFID and EPC related functionality. It readily understands and parses data from Alien, Thing Magic, Symbol and other RFID reader manufacturers; but, more importantly, XAPA is easily extended and integrated into your backend systems. We believe that any software company can deliver a platform that integrates with and talks to RFID readers- that's the easy part. The hard part or most RFID projects is and has always been back-end integration. For that, you need a flexible option like XAPA.
XAPA is C# and Python Scriptable
Integrate into the most complex systems with a simple scripting environment. XAPA is easily extended into your business environment via scripts that can be written in either ECMA-334 standard C# or in Python. There is no mystery behind your system- you own the source code to the applications that run your business and can, if you wish, use your own development staff to maintain these systems without requiring new skill sets.
XAPA is Easily Integrated
XAPA comes out of the box ready to talk to JMS, MSMQ, SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, AJAX applications, SOAP endpoints, you name it.
XAPA is Self-Assembling
When XAPA loads, it compiles its engine based on only those pieces of logic you need for your business application. Don't drag a pile of unwanted code and dependencies into and onto your systems. If you don't need certain integration features then, with XAPA, you can leave them behind.
XAPA scales DOWN and ACROSS
XAPA was, of course, built to scale up to handle the biggest of projects; however, here at Apostrophe, our years of RFID implementation expertise have taught us that the RFID platform of the future needs to SCALE DOWN and ACROSS the enterprise onto small, inexpensive, easily replaceable hardware platforms. Scaling UP to the server room is and never was a good idea for RFID platforms. Really. Never.
XAPA is Cost-Effective
Apostrophe XAPA is cost-effective but don't let it's cost effectiveness fool you. XAPA is the little engine that can. There is no scenario you can envision that XAPA can not handle.
Cross-Platform
Choose the OS of your choice. XAPA runs on most flavors of Linux, Windows, Solaris, Mac OSX and Unix.
XAPA Requires No New Skill sets
XAPA requires a technical understanding of RFID, EPC and, in some cases, software development (C#, Java or Python experience)- but no new technologies
XAPA is RFID agnostic
Just like there are no barcode middleware application platforms, we believe there really shouldn't be an RFID middleware platform- rather an extensible platform that has pluggable RFID related functionality that can be invoked when need be. XAPA neither relies on nor needs it's EPC and RFID components to run and or function as a message, data bus. In fact some of our other customers use XAPA for non-RFID related systems.
Simple and Easy to Understand
XAPA is based on simple concepts that are easy to explain and understand. Xapa is configured using standard XML files that describe 'Data Channels' that can process information. |