What is RFID, really? What are the advantages and issues? In our quest to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the topic, we've been very fortunate to enlist the help of Martyn Mallick, one of the leading experts on RFID technology.

Over the next three articles, we'll be talking to Martyn and learning all about RFID. If you're interested in emerging technologies, this is a series you won't want to miss.

David: Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do for Sybase.

Martyn: I'm Martyn Mallick, director of RFID Technologies at Sybase iAnywhere. This role allows me to be involved with all aspects of RFID technology including the product roadmap, partner relations, marketing programs and customer implementations.

I am also an evangelist for RFID technology and our product offering, which sees me delivering training and presentations at leading industry conferences such as RFID Journal Live! and RFID World.

David: I knew of iAnywhere as the AvantGo folks. What else does iAnywhere do at Sybase?

Martyn: Sybase iAnywhere is a subsidiary of Sybase that focuses on enterprise mobile computing. We have technologies across the realm of mobile and remote computing including mobile database and synchronization, mobile management and security, wireless email, mobile Web technology, and of course RFID technology.

In most cases, we are providing the software infrastructure that organizations use to build either internal solutions or products they take to market. We continue to have great success with worldwide market leadership positions in mobile and embedded databases, mobile management and security, mobile middleware and synchronization, mobile email, and Bluetooth and infrared protocol technologies.