Primary Functional Area : Life Cycle Logistics
RFID refers to technologies that utilize radio waves to automatically identify individual objects. It allows information to be collected automatically without human contact or intervention. An RFID “system” consists of an interrogator (reader) and a “tag” (transponder). The reader generates an electromagnetic field; upon entering the electromagnetic field, the “tag” becomes active, turning on its own transmitter, allowing it to respond to the interrogation from the reader. The reader accepts the data from the “tag” and transmits the information to a computer for further processing.
DoD sees RFID technology playing a vital role in achieving the vision for supporting the War Fighter in an integrated “end to end” supply chain using a fully automated suite of technologies. The goal is to advance the accurate collection of data in a “hands-free”, non-intrusive environment to the maximum extent possible. RFID is seen as an enabling technology that will effectively address the long standing problem of successfully tracking material at crucial nodes of the distribution pipeline.
What is DoD’s specific vision for RFID technology in its role of adding more positive value in supporting the war fighter? RFID is seen as an important piece of DoD’s effort in linking all legs of the Supply Chain; in short, linking the supply chain end to end. RFID is being viewed as an opportunity to track assets in a variety of functional circumstances: locating assets stored in a warehouse, conducting inventories, or tracking material flowing through a maintenance operation. But, possibly it’s most important contribution will be for tracking material from its point of origin though the entire supply chain to the last tactical mile.
RFID technology is capable of supporting the requirements for a more flexible agile force, but it is not a stand-alone silver bullet. It is imperative that RFID technology be incorporated and integrated into current DoD business practices as an enabling tool, not a replacement for current ways of doing business. Numerous lessons learned already indicate that RFID must be integrated into a well thought out application of functional intent. If the ethic becomes one of “Slap and Ship” an RFID tag on a box, effective and efficient success will elude us. The smart application of RFID technology must be the order of the day. The real advantage that RFID technology will bring to DoD’s supply chain will be one of rethinking our processes and incorporating a “Hands-Free” technology to assist us in our efforts to support the War Fighter.
People often ask if there is a distinction between bar code technology and RFID technology. Clearly, the answer is yes, and it can be summarized as follows. First of all, RFID will supplement, not replace, bar codes. Bar Codes will be with us for awhile longer. RFID is simply the next step in technological improvement in the process of identifying material. Experts in the field believe that Bar Codes and RFID technology will coexist for many years to come. One could say that a Bar-Code “sees” the material, while an RFID Tag “hears” the material. Whereas a bar code must be physically seen by a scanner in order to be read; not so with an RFID “tag”. RFID permits material to pass by a given point at a fairly high rate of speed and “read” a label reliably up to distances as far away as 25 feet. Possibly, RFID’s biggest advantage over bar code technology is that it prevents duplication errors. Each RFID tag is identified with a unique serial number, and it is one of a kind – very much like its sister technology, IUID (Item Unique Identification).
Speaking of IUID, there is oftentimes confusion as to the relationship between IUID and RFID. They share a common bond in that they both generate one of a kind serial numbers, but beyond that they part company. An IUID mark identifies individual items that warrant a unique identifier, whereas an RFID tag identifies individual packages in transit. One could say that IUID “identifies the world” while RFID “links the world.” Another point of distinction is that IUID is a business oriented concept whereas RFID is a logistics oriented concept. In short, IUID is, in part, dollar driven; RFID is not. In general, an item will not be marked with an IUID stamp unless it meets a minimum threshold of $5,000 in value, although there are exceptions to this general rule. Not so with using an RFID tag. All DoD materiel that is destined for the military supply pipeline, regardless of dollar value, can be tagged with an RFID chip. Probably where the two technologies differ the most is the manner in which their respective “marks” are read. An IUID mark is read similarly to a standard bar code, that is, up close and personal. In contrast, an RFID tag can be read at a distance.
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Page Information
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Page Views
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3,788
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Created on
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3/16/2011
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Modified on
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3/22/2016
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Last Reviewed
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2/3/2016
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