A Detailed Analysis Of Iuid Marking

By Author: ID Integration
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Overview
Item Unique Identification or IUID is a new method for marking and identifying military assets as per the Department of Defense (DoD) mandate. By assigning a unique identifier, the tangible items can be distinguished from one another. This new asset identifying marking method is more efficient and last the entire life cycle of items starting from acquisition to disposition stage. This latest marking method holds 100times more info about a product than conventional bar codes. IUID has also been encompassed by International Military Standards.

Objective of IUID

Each tangible item is assigned with a unique identifier only once remain same even if the item is modified. IUID marking is nothing but an encoded form of machine-readable symbologies. IUID system facilitates the DoD to achieve total asset visibility through improvised readiness, accountability and life cycle item management. The DoD can capture the value of all defense items purchase thus counterfeiting of items will be stopped. It can also control the item usage. In this way logistics, contracting and financial transactions can be improvised. ...
... Warfighters will also be supported better through the streamline DoD supply.

Requirement for IUID System

IUID is a must for all items issued on or after 1 January 2004 where

Unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more
If the item is serially managed, is mission essential or is a controlled inventory
If the item is designated by the Program office for permanent identification
Regardless of value, If the item is a DoD serially managed embedded item

As per the new procurement rule issued on June 21, 2005, Info about time and material contracts, supply contracts info including DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 and multiple award contract program info such as GSA, NIH, VA etc. are required for the IUID identification. The DoD plans to complete the IUID marking on all tangible items by 31 December 2010.

Marking of IUID
Data Matrix ECC200 is the required marking part of IUID system. It usually has two parts, namely construct#1, and construct #2. While construct #1 carries the CAGE CODE and serial number of an item, construct #2 the original part number and enterprise identifier besides the serial number. The structure of encoding is of International standards which enables consistent reading capability. However, this encoded marking can only be read through specific reader or scanner and hence they are secure. Usually the reading devices are programmed to concatenate the encoding elements.

Some of the key standards that are implemented in IUID marking methods are highlighted as follows.

MIL-STD-130
ISO 15434
ISO 15418
ISO 15415
ISO 16022
IAQG 9132

Benefits of IUID

Improve operational productivity
Easy operational equipment availability
Reduce asset management costs
Improvise item acquisition, deployment and repair standard
In-transit visibility is possible
Facilitate clean financial audits

It might be pointed out that, even though the IUID implementation was originally devised by the DoD, but data submission process is still completed at the IUID registry. Contractors can submit data through UDF, XML or through the latest web entry method.

Uid2go is a premier supplier of UID marking that are 100% verified and meet UID MIL-STD-130 requirements. It has helped numerous customers in IUID registration products to register data to the UID Central Registry.