In order to reduce the vacuum existing in the field of RFID technology, IBM has come up with a set of free tools and training resources for solution providers, developers and consultants. The tools could be downloaded from AlphaWorks which is IBM's online arena for emerging technologies and these tools could assist with the development, testing, deployment and management of RFID solutions.

The tools comprise of:

RFID Integrated Solution Enablement (RISE) tool

This tool enables developers to simulate how an RFID solution would function in a particular environment by making use of the Websphere graphical user interface. It also has a testing component and resources in order to assist with deployment.

The Application Level Events (ALE) Preview for RFID

This tool enables developers to create applications which read and filter data from RFID devices and easily displays event notices on a web browser.

The RFID Device Development Toolkit

This tool has a collection of more than three hundred RFID specific resources, technical articles and tutorials which detail the steps involved in the development of RFID applications.and it also makes note of constraints associated with developing to mobile devices such as proprietary operating systems and limited memory.

These three tools would certainly aid in the development of RFID and fill the gap with regards to the skill required in this sector.