BEA systems has confirmed that it is buying ConnecTerra, a company that makes software used for automatic identification technology known as RFID (radio frequency identification). The move will help BEA integrate RFID into its middleware products. The sum involved was not disclosed, but it is not likely that BEA would have paid more than $20 million for ConnecTerra. RFID is a relatively new technology for automatic identification, which works in a way similar to bar codes used by retailers, in that it stores and retrieves data using RFID tags. It helps companies track inventory in real time.

The San Jose, California-based company did not disclose financial details of the deal. BEA said it plans to keep most of ConecTerra's nearly 30 employees.

The acquisition comes as more businesses across a wide range of industries are testing or implementing RFID technology that helps them track goods.