Microsoft unveiled Microsoft BizTalk RFID Mobile — a lightweight platform for a variety of mobile devices, which simplifies the development of mobile applications that expose relevant, real-time business information. BizTalk RFID Mobile enables delivery of relevant information from mobile devices to core business processes.

Microsoft made available a private beta with general availability expected in late 2008. Customers and partners can participate in the BizTalk RFID Mobile Technology Adoption Program (TAP) by registering at https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=65.

“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,” said Burley Kawasaki, director of product management in the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft. “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.”

As part of the Microsoft BizTalk product line, Microsoft BizTalk RFID Mobile underscores the company’s long-term commitment to deliver extensive service-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management (BPM) capabilities as part of the overall Microsoft application platform. The platform is a set of compatible, mission-critical technologies and development tools that enable customers to develop applications that work with existing systems.

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

Microsoft BizTalk RFID Mobile when used with BizTalk Server 2006 R2 enables real-time decisions by extending business process to Windows CE and Windows Mobile 5.0 applications. BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Microsoft’s core SOA and BPM technology included advancements for fixed RFID readers including device management, data filtering and business rules, electronic data interchange (EDI), and interoperability with line-of-business adapters for manufacturing, finance and healthcare.

“It’s only natural that Microsoft extends BizTalk RFID out to mobile devices, and it complements its mobile hardware partners’ very well,” said John Fontanella, vice president of Research at AMR Research Inc. “The ability to operate at the edge in real time opens up opportunities that can only further enhance RFID’s value.”

Microsoft also announced the BizTalk RFID Standards Pack, for customers to integrate their RFID solutions with Electronic Product Code (EPC) global ratified standards, including Tag Data Translator (TDT) and Low Level Reader Protocol (LLRP) standards.