BTS RFID “DuplicateTagIdsElimination” has a serious bug.

Hello

In one of our BTS RFID implementations we are using the “DuplicateTagIdsElimination” event handler.

The event handler is part of BizTalk Server Code Samples.

The client was seeing a strange behaviour, the event handler will work properly for a while. but after some time, it would start to flag all RFID tags as duplicates.

I run a script to constantly send tags to the event handler to try to recreate the issue.

After letting it run for 24 hours, I noticed that the event handler was doing good until midnight, but right after midnight it started to mark all tags as dups.

I looked at the code: the event handler is using the current system time to determine when was a specific tag last seen. it then compares the current system time to the time embedded in the RFID tag itself.

If the elapsed time is bigger then a configurable value, the tag is marked as new, otherwise it is marked as dup.

the interesting lines in the code are:

currentTS = EventLog.getTimeStamp(System.DateTime.Now);// get the current system time

int tagTS = (int) entry.VendorSpecificData[TIMESTAMPKEY]; //get the time stamp imbedded in the tag
elapsedTime = currentTS - tagTS;// calculate the elapsed time.

The event handler fails (by marking valid tags a dups) after midnight because it uses “System.DateTime.Now” as a starting point.

“System.DateTime.Now” takes into consideration the current day.

so, a tag that was introduced at 05/22/20011 11:59:59PM will fail dup check at 05/23/2011 00:00:01AM because the day has changed and the elapsedTime values will be 86,400 (one day in seconds) instead of just 2 seconds.

To resolve this, I recommend using the dup elimination logic in BizTalk RFID Better Duplicate Tag Eliminator.

The code in this event handler is similar to the one provided from Microsoft, BUT uses different approach to calculate the elapsedTime value.

Good Luck

Uri

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BizTalk RFID Azure Event Handlers

Hello

Today, I am proud to release the BizTalk RFID Azure Event Handlers as part of Tellago DevLabs.

 

Cloud RFID Event Handler enables uploading RFID TagReadEvents and TagListEvents to Azure storage.

The current version has 3 separate event handlers, one for each storage type, to support uploading RFID events to all 3 types of Azure storage: Blobs, Queues and Tables.

The basic concept is similar across all 3 event handlers: supply the event handler with a valid Azure account and the event handler will take care of the rest.

You can choose to use one of the event handlers or any combination of the three to achieve your specific business scenarios.

Once the events are uploaded to Azure storage, they will become available using the REST Storage Services API or custom code.

It is very important to note that all 3 event handlers return “TagReadEvent” so they can be used anywhere within the BizTalk RFID events pipeline. 

Usage Scenarios

The sky (Cloud) is the limit. Bringing the power of RFID with the ultimate visibility provided by the cloud opens the door for endless applications.

Open Supply Chain and Asset Visibility

RFID Journal states that the “EPCglobal Network ” will be used to “enable companies to share data in real time”. According to the article “When Company A ships a pallet full of soft drink, the tags on the cases and pallet are scanned as the shipment leaves, and software is used to automatically let Company B know the shipment has left the warehouse. Company B can look up data associated with the serial numbers on the shipment and learn what’s coming, when it will arrive and so on. When Company B receives the shipment, it scans the tags automatically, and a message can be immediately sent to Company A to let it know the shipment arrived”

The bold lines in the quote above can now be easily achieved by posting the RFID events to the cloud and thus enabling the open supply chain. The article then states that “The potential efficiencies created by this visibility are enormous. Companies would be able to reduce inventories while ensuring product is always in the right place at the right time”.

Security and Access Control

RFID has long been used as an electronic key to control who has access to office buildings or areas within office buildings. Many companies have the need to issue multiple cards to one employee since he needs access to multiple locations. Using the cloud event handles, companies can upload user id information to the cloud and centralize the authorization system.

 

Please see more documentation ,including installation and configuration, here.

 Good luck

 Uri

 

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New website for Tellago

Hello

Tellago has a new website.

It is full with inforamtion about the company, about our stategy , vision and goals.

be sure to check the RFID section.

Good luck

Uri

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BizTalk RFID Data Services is available on codeplex

Hello

My colleague,Suresh Girirajan, published this week the BTS data services project on codeplex.

This should be huge news if you are developing RFID solutions with BizTalk RFID or already have a deployed solution and need a lightweight monitoring system.

The project allows reading and setting properties for RFID processes, devices, device groups and RFID providers. it also allows stopping/starting RFID processes and devices.

The interface is 100% REST (written in C#) and allows both GET and PUT operations on the RFID artifacts.

Make sure to check out the code and the documentation on codeplex.

Good Luck

Uri

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Attaching debugger to RFID process

Hello

During development of RFID processes, we often need to debug the process in Visual studio.

one way to do this is “Debug–> Attach to Process…” option.

The issue with RFID processes is that it is not always clear which process to pick from the list.

One possible workaround is to use ”System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Launch();” inside the code. (for example inside the “ProcessTagReadEvent”).

There is no need to attach to any process. once the code is executed, you will get the “Visual Studio Just-In-Time Debugger” window (see below) where you can choose your code and it will open in debug mode.

Good Luck

Uri

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Modifying Custom properties for Alien RFID Readers

In my current project, the client had a need to modify some custom properties for their Alien RFID readers.

I think that the easiest way to do this  is to use the built-in portal that is part of the reader’s installation:

1. Go to : http://<ip address of the reader>.
2. You should see the summary page of the reader. (see image below)
3. From the summary page you can:
   1. Click on “Reader Information” to view/modify custom properties. (see image below).
   2. Perform troubleshooting tasks on the reader using the “Reader Management” link.
   3. Execute custom commends. (like “Get IOList” or “Get TagList”)

 

Good luck

 Uri

 

 

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