Microsoft has unveiled its BizTalk RFID Mobile platform designed to enable delivery of information from mobile devices to core business processes.

A previously private beta version of the software was made available today, and general availability is promised for late 2008.

"It is only natural that Microsoft extends BizTalk RFID to mobile devices, and it complements its mobile hardware partners very well," said John Fontanella, vice president of research at AMR Research.

"The ability to operate at the edge in real time opens up opportunities that can only further enhance RFID's value."

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.

"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.

Microsoft also announced the BizTalk RFID Standards Pack for customers to integrate RFID technologies with Electronic Product Code standards, including Tag Data Translator and Low Level Reader Protocol.