IBM launches sensor data analysis software

IBM on Tuesday launched software that navigates data from sensors and triggers automated business responses.

The software, dubbed WebSphere Sensor Events, aggregates data from sensors that monitor air quality, traffic, water flow, energy usage and other items via RFID tags. IBM reckons that there will be six billion RFID tags in circulation by 2010.

These sensors throw off a lot of data---too much in fact. IBM's software aims to capture the data and run it through an enterprise's business process and analytics systems. Once the data was analyzed an enterprise could react to incoming data and adjust accordingly.

Efforts like IBM's are growing in importance. Wireless providers and a bevy of other technology players envision a world of interconnected sensors that bridge the Internet with the physical world. Companies use these sensors---and the software that goes with them---to track shipping containers, track data center energy use and monitor food safety.

IBM's WebSphere Sensor Events software was obtained via Big Blue's acquisition of AptSoft in 2008. IBM has taken that core software and integrated it with its WebSphere and Tivoli application lineup.