The new version 1.1 of IBM’s WebSphere RFID Information Center is based on the original product launched in December, which is essentially a data repository that lies underneath reporting applications. The repository captures and stores serial ID and event information taken from RFID tags and barcodes.

And that’s chiefly what the new release is: a reporting mechanism that takes raw item-level serialization data, collected from RFID or barcode readers, and churns out a so-called ePedigree report.

An ePedigree includes the unique serialized ID embedded in RFID tags or barcode labels attached to individual bottles or packages of medicine, as well as the full trace history of everywhere that a specific item has traveled in the supply chain, based on receiving and shipping transactions. That ePedigree report can then be shared with regulators and trading partners. By taking this data and formatting into a pedigree, we’re able to know all the drug information associated with that serial number, said Jennifer Kahn, IBM WebSphere RFID Information Center product manager.

This will soon become an essential requirement for all drug makers looking to sell product in California; on January 1, 2009, the state will become the first to enact law that requires drugs to have ePedigree, in a bid to stem counterfeit pharmaceuticals. ePedigree aims to track a drug throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing plants to distribution centers to pharmacies and hospitals.

IBM is not the first to market with ePedigree track-and-trace technology, but its product has the advantage of enabling compliance without disrupting existing business and IT systems. That’s because it is a user interface that sits on top of the central WebSphere data repository application, Kahn said. We are trying to maintain as much flexibility as possible to move the way of the industry, Kahn said of the ePedigree feature.

Indeed, more ePedigree laws are expected to follow. Oregon and New York, as well as France, Japan and Spain are all making moves toward ePedigree legislation. So far, no US federal law has been passed but there is one up for consideration. We think the government does understand that all these different laws and incompatible systems don’t solve the problem we’re all trying to reach, Kahn said. Right now, we’re really looking to California as the kind of base of data requirements.

The new WebSphere RFID version also includes an open-source tool to create ad hoc reports. By being open source, the tool is more flexible for users and enables them to easily build their own reports, Kahn said. It enables instant customization versus having to rely on a development team to create a report for you, she said.

It also has a new alerting mechanism; a complex event tool that enables users to set up alerts to identify exceptions in the supply chain. For instance, a duplicate serial number can be flagged in real-time as a potential counterfeit. The exception can be isolated so that ongoing business processes are not disturbed.

The company plans to release other features on top of its WebSphere RFID platform that can address additional business use cases even beyond compliance, she added. When the first version of the product was released it included a shipment verification reporting feature.

So far, AmerisourceBergen, a big three pharma distributor, is piloting the WebSphere RFID Information Center in Sacramento, as is a large unnamed global drug maker, IBM said.

ITAIDE, a global e-customs project, is also using the platform to manage serial numbers relating to shipping containers globally. Kahn said. The serialized data in this instance shows temperature, humidity and location, among other factors, of the shipping containers, which has also helped with customs requirements, Kahn said.

IBM also is looking to track airline parts for consumer safety purposes. Also, automotive and retail applications, to track expiration management or product returns, for example, Kahn said.

WebSphere RFID Information Center complies with the EPCglobal Electronic Product Code Information Services standard, which was ratified in April.