Similar to other Auto-ID technologies the integration process of RFID technologies must be adopted to the needs of the existing enviroment. Is RFID only used internally or should other business partners be involved. The aplication is the driver here and decides about the depth of integration.

When it comes to the integration process, the communication via interfaces with existing computer application like ERP software, production planning or warehouse management systems plays an important role.

The illustration shows the basic topology of an RFID system.

The top shows the computer application that can be a ERP software, production planning. Above there normally is the warehouse management system that is controlling the material flow of the company. (In some application there will be a middelware that is capable of handling large amounts of data. That depends on how many RFID tags must be read at once.) After that there comes the actual RFID system. It consists of an RFID reader/writer, the antenna(s) and the transponders. The integration of RFID for controlling the material flow needs interaction of all the components as well as well as a flawless communication through all the systems.