Integrated RFID: UID and Workflow

EPCSolutions introduces an integrated solution that enables DoD suppliers to manage all aspects of UID creation, registration, validation and UID labeling requirements. The data is seamlessly integrated into RFID labeling and Wide Area Workflow (WAWF). ...

... "The integrated solution provides MIL-STD-129P compliant RFID labels and MIL-STD-130M compliant UID marks/labels. The solution also provides a combined RFID/UID WAWF remittance and material handling document to the DoD, as well as hard copy generation of the DD250. The solution supports all major brands of RFID and bar code printers, as well as, several popular direct part mark etching devices. " ...

Via ePCSolutions: DoD RFID, UID and WAWF Integrated Solution Now Available ...

RFID Gen2 Chip Supply for Alien ...

Tower Semi will manufacture Generation 2 RFID chips for Alien Technology. ...

... "Tower Semiconductor Ltd., a pure-play independent specialty foundry, announced that it is the manufacturing supplier for Alien Technology's internally-designed Gen 2 RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) integrated circuits. These ICs recently achieved the EPCGlobal certification mark. The RFID ICs are produced at Tower's Fab2 in an advanced 0.18-micron manufacturing process. Market analysts forecast the RFID IC's market to grow significantly to between $500 millions and $1 Billion by 2010, mainly due to the Gen 2 impact. RFID tags help enable supply chain efficiency, visibility and security and are being deployed in retail, defense, transportation and health markets. Some of the implementation initiatives are being led by major US retailers. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 13 federal agencies are already using or plan to deploy RFID technology. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has mandated RFID's use across its suppliers for increased supply chain visibility and improved forecasting. The newly certified Alien Gen 2 RFID chips include some new CMOS devices which were jointly developed with Tower. IC development efforts focused on the low-power requirements for such an RFID tag which draws its power solely from transmitted Radio Frequency energy. " ...

RFID Gen2 Chip Supply for Alien: Via Tower Semiconductor: Tower Semiconductor Manufactures Gen 2 RFID Tags for Alien Technology ...

RFID Tagging Authentication: Encrypted Shipping Manifest ...

RFID Tagging Authentication: Encrypted Shipping Manifest: SupplyChain Guardian: Multi-product, Multi-supplier, Multi-retailer and Multi-frequency ...

RFID system supports DOD standards for tagging, authentication ...

... "RFID Tagging and RFID Authentication: SupplyChain Guardian™ provides a complete turn-key solution at the source for a secure and trusted global supply chain. Our EPC compliant RFID tagging and RFID authentication system meets all world RFID commercial and U.S. Department of Defense standards and is double-byte language-enabled with full integration into major ERP platforms such as SAP and Oracle. Our Java-based system generates an encrypted shipping manifest that is securely transmitted via the Internet to suppliers, customers and Customs through network operations centers in the United States, Europe and Asia. " ...

ISR Systems Corporation’s multi-level secure, integrated and interoperable security systems provide surveillance, threat detection, and tracking to protect inter-modal transportation, seaport and airport facilities, and critical infrastructure from asymmetrical terrorist and security threats. ISR systems provide automated decision support from its command and control centers to coordinate notification and tactical responses among multiple agencies to interdict or respond to security threats.

DOD Supplier RFID Technology ...

DOD Supplier RFID Technology: WFI Government Services, Inc. Awarded Blanket Purchase Agreement to Supply Passive RFID Technology for DoD Initiative

WFI acknowledged as supplier of RFID reader technology to the DOD ...

... "Wireless Facilities, Inc. (WFI) (Nasdaq: WFII), a global leader in the design, deployment, and management of wireless communication networks, technology networks and security systems, announced today that the Logistics and RFID sector of its Government Division has been awarded Blanket Purchase Agreements to provide Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers to enable and accelerate implementation of passive RFID technology in support to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). " ...

Headquartered in San Diego, CA, WFI, is an independent provider of systems engineering, network services and technical outsourcing for the world's largest wireless carriers, enterprise customers and for government agencies. The company provides the design, deployment, integration, and the overall management of wired and wireless networks which deliver voice and data communication, and which support advanced security systems. WFI Government Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of WFI. RFID is one of the company's chief areas of expertise, with complete RFID services that leverage the firm's functional understanding of the supply chain and logistics processes with its core competency in data integration and synchronization. WFI has performed work in over 100 countries since its founding in 1994.

RFID Government Contract RFID Readers ...

RFID Government Contract RFID Readers: Intermec Named to Provide RFID Readers to U.S. Government: Blanket purchase agreement includes fixed-mounted and transportable readers; all equipment firmware upgradeable to Generation 2 RFID standard; follows award in March of RFID tag blanket purchase agreement ...

Intermec announces key win as supplier of Gen 2-compatible RFID readers to the US Government ...

... "As part of the U.S. Government’s initiative to improve efficiency and inventory asset management, Intermec Technologies Corp., which designs and manufactures RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems, has been awarded a Blanket Purchasing Agreement to provide passive UHF RFID (radio frequency identification) fixed-mounted and transportable RFID readers to support the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. Earlier this year, Intermec was granted a BPA to provide EPC Class 1 RFID tags. The awards are part of the government’s Automatic Information Technology RFID initiative to provide timely asset visibility in its global logistics pipeline, whether in process, in storage or in transit. The award is the latest in a 20-year partnership between Intermec and the U.S. Government. " ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag(R) RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

Additional resources on RFID government contracts ...

Border: Better Security Without a Traffic Jam? ... ... One component of the plan is a technology known as RFID, ... Reston-based Accenture LLP was the winner of the government contract worth up to ...

DoD Suppliers' Passive RFID Information Guide ... ... Figure 5 - RFID-enabled label placement on palletized unit load. ... government contract. If the DoD Purchase Card is used to acquire items that are on ...

CICA 30th Annual Convention slide sets ... ... assess government contract opportunities, use e-procurement and improved ... The Auto-ID Centre’s mission is to replace the use of barcodes with RFID ...

RFID-Enabled Parts Tracking Recognized by DOD ...

RFID Parts Tracking Recognized by DOD: Tobyhanna Army Depot Gives SYS-TEC Exceptional Ratings Across ...

Parts tracking, using RFID technology, is valued by the DOD in their recent pilot at the Tobyhanna Depot. RFID Supplier SYS-TEC Corp is recognized for their performance ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... is also highly experienced on the commercial side, having worked with many leading enterprise systems as well as implementing a Wal-Mart-compliant RFID project ...

... SYS-TEC Corporation is pleased to announce that its performance as prime contractor for the Tobyhanna AIT (Automatic Identification Technology) Pilot Program received the highest possible ratings. The purchase order was awarded under a Department of the Army contract to SYS-TEC for project management and installation of the WhereNet Corp. Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. The Depot, a major element of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, is a full-service repair, overhaul and fabrication facility. Some of the items it refurbishes are vital links in the U.S. war on terror, like radar antenna systems. These systems, comprising approximately 20,000 parts apiece, are disassembled, repaired and tested at the Depot before being returned to the field: a 12-15 month process. ...

SYS-TEC serves the automated data collection, bar coding, labeling and hardware needs of government and commercial organizations in supply chain management.

DOD RFID Policy ...

... "Radio Frequency Identification will be a mandatory DoD requirement on solicitations issued on or after October I, 2004 for delivery of materiel on or after January I, 2005 in accordance with the .supplier implementation plan at Attachment 3. Contracts with DoD shall require that passive RFID tags be applied to the case, pallet and item packaging for unique identification (UID) items in accordance with Attachment 3. The Defense Logistics Board (DLB) will review the internal implementation plan, benefits, compliance requirements, and requisite budget requirements annually based on an assessment of the implementation to date. This review will include an updated analysis of implementation success as well as provide guidance for expansion of RFID capabilities into additional applications and supply chain functional processes. A DLE decision memorandum will provide funding guidance for DoD Component implementation. In order for the DoD Components to meet the requirements of this policy, we have developed a Department-wide RFID Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to outline the transformational role of RFID technology in DoD logistics and to articulate the specific uses of both active and passive RFID throughout the DoD supply chain." ...

DOD RFID Supplier Implementation Plan

From Logistics and Materiel Readiness ...

... "Suppliers Shipping to DoD: Per the schedule outlined in this attachment, case, pallet, and item packaging (unit pack) for Unique Identification (UID) items will be tagged at the point of origin (manufacturer/vendor) with passive RFID tags, except for the bulk commodities as defined in section 2.4.1+ of attachment 2. If the unit pack is also the case, only one RFID tag will be attached to the container. Shipments of goods and materials will be phased in by procurement methods, classes/commodities, location and layers of packaging for passive RFID. Commencing January 1, 2005: All individual Cases + All Cases packaged within Palletized Unit Loads + all Palletized Unit Loads, as defined in Section 2.3+, will be tagged" ...

RFID Compliance: Videojet®, Accu-Sort join forces to offer widest range of RFID compliance products

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (November 8, 2004) — Videojet® Technologies Inc. (VJ) and Accu-Sort Systems Inc. (ASI) have partnered to provide the widest range of RFID compliance products for the retail supplier market. VJ is the industry leader in variable coding while ASI is the leader in auto ID, with more than 40 installed RFID systems. Together they have joined R&D forces to develop the widest range of RFID tag applicators targeted to help retail suppliers meet RFID compliance mandates, while also benefiting from efficiencies in their own operations. The FAST Tag™ product line offers solutions to almost every customer compliance challenge, from mobile tag encoders for manual application to batch tag application on a manufacturing line to fully integrated tag application systems for a DC material handling system.

“This partnership means that VJ/ASI solutions will not only allow customers to meet compliance needs but, with the FAST software, help them achieve efficiencies today,” said Bob Joyce, President of ASI. Added Robert Willett, President of Coding and Marking at VJ, “Together, we provide the industry’s largest field forces in the United States and globally. We are uniquely positioned to help customers roll out RFID across their operations quickly and with a high level of quality.”

Customers receive ‘FAST’ benefits: The partnership takes advantage of Videojet’s label application technology, and Accu-Sort’s integrated software suite and RFID experience. The product line consists of three products:

FAST Tag Mobile: VJ and ASI have combined a desktop encoder and label printer with the FAST integration software to create a mobile solution. This solution is the easiest way for manufacturers to implement a compliant RFID solution when they are not yet ready to fully automate their RFID tag application.

FAST Tag LA: VJ’s reliable label applicator is combined with ASI’s software to create an easy-to-use tag application system for batch applications. This saves operator time by automatically applying tags while reducing tag damage. This is the ideal bolt-on solution for customer’s existing production lines.

FAST Tag In-Motion: VJ and ASI technology are combined to create a flexible and automated tag application solution. The FAST Tag In-Motion system performs inbound identification of the product bar code, retrieves the EPC code and product information from the company’s product database, tests the RFID tag for validity before encoding the tag with the appropriate EPC data and rejects bad tags if necessary. FAST Tag provides 100 percent item tracking and tracing with the use of bar code and RFID verification devices, ensuring that the right tag gets on the right box every time. With integrated EPC tag serial number management and the ability to interface with new or existing material handling equipment and IT systems, FAST Tag makes it easy to meet compliance tagging requirements.

ASI’s Joyce said the partnership should yield even greater reliability and innovation in the future. “The Videojet and Accu-Sort partnership combines the technology and capabilities of the leaders in coding and auto ID. Videojet understands the challenges of coding and applying labels. Accu-Sort understands RFID and how tags are read downstream at the distribution center. Our partnership with Videojet means we will continue to offer customers the broadest range of compliance product solutions in the industry.”

About Videojet: Videojet Technologies Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of coding, printing and laser marking products, fluids and accessories for the product identification industry. As experts in continuous ink jet (CIJ), drop-on-demand (DOD), thermal-transfer overprinting (TTO), array, and laser technologies, Videojet has over 275,000 units installed worldwide. Sales, service, training, administrative and application support is provided by direct operations worldwide, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Russian, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom, with more than 250 direct sales and service personnel in the United States alone. Videojet’s distribution network includes over 175 distributors and OEMs, serving 135 countries.
1-800-843-3610 or www.videojet.com.

About Accu-Sort: Accu-Sort Systems is a pioneer in reliable auto ID and high-speed compliance solutions with more than three decades of experience deploying and supporting scanning and tracking solutions in distribution, warehousing, manufacturing and retailer environments. The company is also an established provider of convergent RFID and bar code systems with more than 40 RFID installations.
1-877-ASI-RFID or www.accusort.com.

RFID Tags: Videojet Introduces the Broadcast System Total RFID Tagging ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... 15, 2004--Videojet(R) Technologies Inc. (a Danaher company) introduces the Videojet Broadcast System(TM), providing RFID tag application solutions to quickly ...

... Videojet(R) Technologies Inc. (a Danaher company) introduces the Videojet Broadcast System(TM), providing RFID tag application solutions to quickly and easily meet retailer mandates, including Wal-Mart(R) supplier specifications. Videojet, a world leader in product identification solutions, has joined with its sister company, Accu-Sort(R) Systems, Inc., to provide a total RFID application system for packaged goods manufacturers. The Videojet Broadcast System encodes and applies RFID tags utilizing a Videojet label applicator, an Accu-Sort RFID reader, and a patent-pending reject identification and recovery system. ...

Videojet Technologies Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of coding, printing and laser marking products, fluids, and accessories for the product identification industry. As experts in continuous ink jet (CIJ), drop-on-demand (DOD), thermal-transfer overprinting (TTO), array, and laser technologies, Videojet has over 275,000 units installed worldwide. Sales, service, training, administrative and application support is provided by direct operations worldwide, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Russian, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom, with more than 250 direct sales and service personnel in the United States alone. Videojet's distribution network includes over 175 distributors and OEMs, serving 135 countries.

RFID Software: SSA Global Delivers RFID Solution to Help Customers Meet ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... extended enterprise solutions and services, today announces the initial customer benefits of its Radio Frequency Identification-enabled (RFID) product offering ...

... Delivering on its promise to continually enhance its supply chain solutions suite, SSA Global(TM), a leading provider of extended enterprise solutions and services, today announces the initial customer benefits of its Radio Frequency Identification-enabled (RFID) product offering for SSA Warehouse Management in support of Wal-Mart(R) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) compliancy. RFID technology is a foundation for customers to gain expanded visibility into their supply chain and is a cornerstone of SSA Global's Supply Chain Management (SCM) solution. SSA Global's RFID offerings will help manufacturers and distributors increase their material handling productivity to more effectively manage and track the movement of materials. ...

SSA Global(TM) is a leading provider of ERP solutions for manufacturing, services, and public organizations worldwide. In addition to core ERP applications, SSA Global offers a full range of integrated extended solutions including corporate performance management, customer relationship management, product lifecycle management, supply chain management and supplier relationship management. Headquartered in Chicago, SSA Global has 60 locations worldwide and its product offerings are used by approximately 13,000 active customers in over 90 countries.

RFID Best Practices: FIVE STEPS TO RFID DEPLOYMENT

From Ferret, Australia ... Matrics and Alien, the main EPC tag and reader providers today, will have to ... There are also interference issues since many traditional RF systems also use the ...

" ... WHETHER you are responding to EPC-based mandates or simply trying to gain competitive advantage through RFID, this five-step process will make for successful RFID deployment. Contrary to perceptions fostered by the recent buzz around mandates from Wal-Mart, Target, Albertsons, the Department of Defense (DOD) and others, RFID is not a new technology. It was first used more than 60 years ago by Britain to identify friend and foe aircraft in World War II. For more than 20 years, every railroad car in North America and many other countries have had RFID tags on them. And if you have an ExxonMobil Speedpass or use a tollway transponder in your car, you are using RFID technology. ... "

Alien Technology is a leading supplier of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware that enables consumer packaged goods companies, retailers, logistics companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and defense industries to improve their operating efficiency by implementing RFID solutions throughout their supply chain. Alien was the first company to deliver electronic product code (EPC) Class 1 hardware, and the company's unique patented manufacturing process, Fluidic Self Assembly™ (FSA), ensures the reliable and cost-efficient delivery of RFID tags in high volumes. With a manufacturing facility in Morgan Hill, California and a planned expansion facility in Fargo, North Dakota, Alien offers industry-leading manufacturing capacity to meet the rapidly growing market demand.

DoD CAC Smart Card: SSP-Litronic Receives $400,000 Award Under Existing $9 Million ...

From Market Wire (press release) ... NetSign CAC supports multiple applications on a single smart card -- the DoD's Common Access Card, allowing DoD members and employees to access both physical ...

Founded in 1970, SSP Solutions (Nasdaq: SSPX), dba SSP-Litronic, is a global provider of digital identity management and information assurance products for the government and enterprise markets, including financial services, healthcare, education, and entertainment. By facilitating the deployment, management, and use of digital certificates and smart cards, SSP-Litronic's products provide strong authentication solutions to protect and valuable information as it is transmitted electronically, helping organizations to achieve their physical and network security goals. For over three decades, SSP-Litronic has set the standard for high assurance in communications, data protection, and network security. The Company is a top supplier to a wide range of government organizations including the National Security Agency, the FBI and CIA, the Department of Defense and Armed Forces, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Departments of State and Treasury. By designing solutions to open industry standards, SSP-Litronic has achieved success in the commercial sector with clients including Hewlett-Packard, Verisign, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman IT, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

NetSign® CAC is a complete smart card client package that provides network security and desktop protection for users of the Common Access Card. With NetSign CAC you can securely logon on to PCs, networks, and websites; digitally sign and encrypt email; and perform other Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) related functions. NetSign CAC provides multi-application support for non-PKI secure data storage applications through support of the GSA defined Basic Services Interface (BSI) and DoD CAC Extended Service Interface (XSI).

RFID Data: First RFID database debuts

From Database Journal ... The RFideaWorks provides high-performance, flexible RFID-enabling solutions to help businesses meet new Wal-Mart, DoD, and international RFID standards ...

The RFideaWorks provides high-performance, flexible RFID-enabling solutions to help businesses meet new Wal-Mart, DoD, and international RFID standards - regardless of which standards are used where. This means a company can do business in a "mix or match" RFID standards world, like EPC, ISO's, proprietary, bar codes and other data input, and still have their existing enterprise information systems working smoothly and efficiently throughout the enterprise, supply chain, and customer base.

RFIdb (TM) is the first database designed from the ground up specifically for RFID and integrated with existing enterprise systems. RFIdb easily handles the high speeds and large data volumes generated by RFID systems for on-line transaction processing & applications processing of RFID data. RFIdb is a memory-resident relational database that can process up to 1,000 RFID tag transactions per second - this is about 5X faster than current RFID tag readers on the market! Because of its superior performance capabilities and throughput, RFIdb provides database preprocessing of tag information thus relieving the RDBMS from overwhelming amounts of RFID data to avoid bottlenecks. RFIdb provides rapid RFID-enablement and integrated information for Oracle, regardless of RFID standards or requirements.

RFIdirector is innovative middleware providing complete flexibility for the global RFID community. It solves the key issues of lack of uniform standards, and problems that arise when a consumer product company or military supplier uses one type of RFID tag while the retailer, distributor, or shipper/transporter uses another. Based on unique patent-pending tag description, translation, and processing language & methodology, RFIdirector alone works with EPC, ISO's, ANSI/NCITS 256, UID, and even proprietary RFID tag standards at high-rates of speed.

RFID EPC: RedPrairie and Xterprise join in EPC market

From UsingRFID.com, UK ... The supply chain solutions firm RedPrairie Corporation has formed a strategic partnership with the EPC/RFID integrator Xterprise Inc., enabling Xterprise to ...

Xterprise is a leading EPC/RFID Solution Integrator currently helping a number of Wal-Mart and DOD suppliers design and implement compliant solutions.
EPC/RFID Retail Supplier Compliance Solutions; RFID Enhanced Warehouse Management & Control Systems; Solution Bundles: Hardware, Software & Professional Services; Xterprise has the Relevant Expertise to Guarantee Compliance...

Retail RFID Conference: Wal-Mart and Target Sit on Panel With Their Suppliers to Discuss ...

From Business Wire (press release) ... Top IT and business executives from Wal-Mart, Target Stores, HP, and Kimberly Clark will discuss critical issues around RFID during one of the three opening ...

Retail Systems 2004/VICS Collaborative Commerce
17-19 May, 2004
McCormick Place, Chicago IL USA

Conference RFID highlights...

Keep Pace with RFID and other Evolving Technologies
Improve Product Movement and Visibility
Collaborate with Trading Partners
Align IT with Business Objectives

Walmart keynote speaker:

Mike Duke will discuss the long-term vision driving Wal-Mart Stores’ decision to integrate Electronic Product Code (EPC) and RFID network technology into his company’s supply chain practices. He will discuss his senior management team’s rationale for the well publicized Wal-Mart 2005 initiative and its implications for the suppliers of the world’s largest retailer. He will describe how he views transformational technologies such as RFID and their potential impact on logistics, store operations and merchandising.

Michael, who is one of the primary business sponsors of Wal- Mart’s RFID initiative, is responsible for the day-to-day retail and merchandising operations of Wal-Mart’s discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets in the US.

Prior to this position, he served as executive vice president of administration. Mike joined Wal-Mart in 1995. During his time at the company he has also served as executive vice president of logistics, senior vice president of logistics and senior vice president of distribution. A long-time retail industry veteran, Mike spent 23 years with Federated Department Stores, May Department Stores and Venture Stores.

VICS

Come join members of the VICS Board of Directors as they provide an overview of the VICS Strategic Plan, highlighting the significant changes that will define VICS for the short- and long-term future, 2003 accomplishments, and major initiatives planned for 2004 - 2005. The new VICS value proposition, of critical importance to existing as well as potential members, will be discussed. An explanation of member benefits, including a revitalized Web site and newsletter that will feature current and relevant information, will conclude the session.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT at DOD
Adopt an RFID Supply Chain Practice
Maurice Stewart
Deputy Chief of DOD Logistics Automatic Identification Technology
Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) Office U.S. Department of Defense
Maurice will look at how the Department of Defense (DOD) is preparing to deploy RFID technology. He will explain how the DOD, which has been using active RFID tags to track freight containers since 1995, will require all suppliers to use active and passive RFID tags on all shipments to the military by January 2005. Learn about the feedback from supplier educational meetings of October 2003, and the RFID Summit of January 2004, as well as analysis of the DOD’s initial RFID projects. Explore the intricacies considered when phasing in RFID requirements on a large scale. Understand the DOD’s plans for embracing and utilizing diverse numbering schemes, and leveraging RFID technology throughout the DOD supply chain.

Technology Viewpoint Session on Microsoft RFID
Features and benefits of Microsoft’s Smarter Retail Initiative
Frank May
Industry Manager
Microsoft
An overview of the Microsoft Smarter Retailing Initiative will identify the functional benefits of providing “new edge of the enterprise” information to both retailer’s customers and sales associates in the store. A description of the architecture behind the initiative will illustrate how Microsoft and their partner solutions can be installed today to provide a competitive edge in the marketplace. The availability and usage of real time operational data provided by this architecture provides the methodology to migrate current systems into this new world. Integration of this architecture into an existing IT infrastructure will be discussed. Emerging wireless and RFID and other technologies introduction into the architecture will also be described.

DOD RFID: Defense Won't Budge On January RFID Deadline - The Department of Defense is holding fast to its January mandate for suppliers to use FID technolo

From Manufacturing.net Logistics Management, Apr 12, 2004 ... TechwebNews.com via NewsEdge Corporation ... The Department of Defense is holding fast to its January mandate that suppliers send cases and pallets of goods to the agency tagged with radio-frequency identification technology. Defense Department officials met this week in Washington D.C. with 700 suppliers to discuss plans for implementing RFID. The department will present a draft of an RFID supplier contract for public review in May or June and expects to finalize the mandate requirements by August or September for its 43 000 suppliers.

DOD RFID: Defense Won't Budge On January RFID Deadline

From Yahoo! Most Popular Tech News, Apr 11, 2004 ... The Department of Defense is holding fast to its January mandate that suppliers send cases and pallets of goods to the agency tagged with radio-frequency identification technology. Defense Department officials met this week in Washington D.C. with 700 suppliers to discuss plans for implementing RFID. The department will present a draft of an RFID supplier contract for public review in May or June and expects to finalize the mandate requirements by August or September for its 43 000 suppliers ...

RFID in the DOD Strategic Supply Process

... Despite turbulent world and economic conditions, some companies continue to thrive in the global marketplace while others struggle to avoid or emerge from bankruptcy. We believe their secret to success is the successful application and integration of Supply Chain Management (SCM) principles throughout the entire enterprise. Industry leaders effortlessly balanced the iron triangle of SCM – the people, processes, and technology that are key to fueling a high velocity supply chain. The Department of Defense (DoD) lags behind industry in application of SCM principles. We recommend the DoD redefine its SCM enterprise at the DoD level and provide recommendations to guide the department as it transitions from a state of awareness about SCM to building an adaptive supply network in the future ...

... In today’s global economy, in-transit visibility is vital. Just-in-time manufacturing and assembly operations require firms to know – sometimes to the minute – when a key part or component will arrive from a supplier. Technology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and automated identification technology (AIT) can provide this information to all firms in the supply chain. Customers increasingly demand the capability to use the Internet to track their package from the time it is shipped to the time it arrives at their home or office. FedEx provides world-class tracking capabilities for items shipped through its network of airborne and ground-based transportation channels. Wal-Mart’s move to implement passive RFID tags may accelerate the spread of this technology throughout the retail sector given the huge volume of goods moved through Wal-Mart distribution channels. The payback from implementing such programs can be substantial. For example, Savi Technology’s implementation of DoD’s Ammunition AIT project produced a 98% cost avoidance in the inventory/reconciliation of category I ammunition. Scanning labels and reconciling inventories used to take 40 man-hours per building. It now takes 30 minutes per building, yielding a cost avoidance of over $860,000 ...