Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Integrated Innovation: Lockheed Martin IUID Scanners

The term UID represents the item unique identification for applications involving contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. The Department of Defense (DOD) currently requires all suppliers to comply with the MIL STD 130 specifications for successful contracts. The purpose behind this requirement is to tighten the security and tracking of these items, their distribution, and usage. UID marks also help to better manage the tracking of maintenance to various products and equipment. Ultimately, UID labels help many offices of the U.S. military to maintain an organized database that enables full management of all government assets for the full lifetime of every item.

Today, there are many manufacturers struggling to meet the stringent guidelines for UID labels and compliance. However, this process is quite a bit more complicated than printing a detailed identification mark or tag. Full specifications can be found within the published MIL STD 130 guidelines, however many suppliers prefer to obtain guidance from seasoned integrators. One thing that’s highly recommended for most of these applications is a method to verify that UID labels and direct part markings are compliant and legible.

Recently, ID Integration, Inc., a foremost authority in the UID industry, has launched a series of scanners with intuitive and easy to use features. These Lockheed Martin IUID scanners feature the unique SmartScan™ technology, which offers a wide range of benefits that exceed the average bar code scanner. Additionally, the Lockheed Martin IUID scanners are provide UID compliance verification functions at the lowest price point on the market along with a host of other bells and whistles that suppliers striving to achieve UID compliance will truly appreciate.

Available in corded, cordless (battery powered), and Bluetooth wireless models, these Code Corp scanners are high performance tools for most any UID application. From 1-D to 2-D bar code support, right out of the box, the Lockheed Martin IUID scanners have the ability to scan a variety of bar code symbologies as well as OCR text, and image jpgs. Other advanced features include the ability for users to choose between many modes that include UID Validation with Raw data output, Concatenated UII output, or Parsed UID output.

With a 6” wide field of view, these smarter Lockheed Martin IUID scanners also provide the most thorough IUID error reporting and UID labels quality checks. These units are fully capable of outputting multiple errors, not just the first one, along with suggestions for error resolution. For UID compliance needs, these advanced scanners offer a full arsenal of features that will help any production process to become more streamlined and efficient. Visit ID Integration, Inc. to learn more about these cutting-edge Lockheed Martin IUID scanners or to learn more about UID applications, in general, online at www.uidscanner.com.

Boeing UID Scanners: Some Advantages

UID labels play a primary role in the effective tracking of all Department of Defense (DoD) assets. These include all parts, products, equipment, and other supplies that the U.S. military uses throughout their operations. Today, the DoD’s UID registry is one the foremost authority for approved products and vendors to relevant government offices around the world. This registry is a nice medium to store important information about each part and product as well as all compliant suppliers.

UID labels, for identification tracking, are very useful to manufacturers in every industry. In fact, today, just about every manufacturer, including those not doing business with the U.S. Department of Defense, is using UID labels to facilitate improved production and quality of the products they manufacture. The most common UID labels contain general product information, manufacturing data, and an item unique serial number, among important data. MIL STD 130 outlines the specifications of compliant UID labels including requirements for compliant marking methods and materials. UID labels must remain durable and may face exposure to really harsh weather, as well as contact to a variety of chemicals, oils, or other substances. This information is required to remain legible for the full duration of a products’ life.

Now, it’s even easier to maintain UID compliance with advanced, Boeing UID scanners available with innovative SmartScan™ technology. These Boeing UID scanners, with integrated SmartScan technology have been developed for a wide range of UID compliance applications and are one of the industry’s most cost effective solutions for tracking and analyzing all UID production data. In fact, the Boeing UID scanners offered by ID Integration, Inc. (Code Corp Models) are the lowest cost 2-D scanner models that come with UID validation.

In the market today you can easily find UID scanners available for sale. However, these scanners do not possess the same capabilities or low prices as the featured Boeing UID scanners at ID Integration, Inc.’s www.uidscanner.com. Here are key advantages offered by today’s innovative and effective Boeing UID scanners:

Boeing UID scanners are easy to operate and integrate within a production process.

• Boeing UID scanners include a high resolution camera with the ability to scan both 2-D and 1-D codes as well as a full range of OCR text, handwritten signatures, and even image jpgs for storage within a UID production database.

• Every model of the popular Boeing UID scanners comes with the ability to output multiple errors and also provide suggestions for remedy.

• Information is easy to capture and upload for use within a production database.

To learn more about Boeing UID scanners and UID labels, visit ID Integration, Inc. online at www.uidscanner.com.

Understanding MIL STD 130

To manage all its property, assets, purchases, and transferred products or supplies, the U.S. Army utilizes an item unique tracking system that is generally referred to as UID. The UID registry is the database of all these unique items as provided by the suppliers holding contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The UID registry also stores important information about the product, the supplier, and other related manufacturing information. Now, for compliance with the UID registry or UID process, there are a number of specifications that are required. All of these specifications can be found in current MIL STD 130 guidelines. In all DoD UID matters, MIL STD 130 functions as the ultimate resource. It sets the standards for which all the government contractors must follow while manufacturing items to be used as military supplies and equipment.

The ultimate goal of MIL STD 130 is to standardize the data nomenclature and marking methods that are compliant with the UID registry. This UID registry serves as a repository of data about all items supplied to the DoD. This collected UID data includes information about the products’ and also important information about the suppliers or the manufacturers. The Department of Defense has easily access to this UID repository and can gather any information about the suppliers while keeping current records that are relevant to an items location, usage, and maintenance.

For compliance in the UID registry every part and product is required to possess an item unique marking. This UID mark includes important manufacturing details; such as the part number, serial number, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, name of manufacturer/contractor, and much more. The Department of Defense requires stringent compliance of all MIL STD 130 specifications and will reject those products and contractors that are not able to attain this level of quality. Failure to maintain UID compliance may result in a lost contract with various departments of the U.S. Government. Therefore, understanding the requirements of MIL STD 130 guidelines is a major concern for all suppliers to the U.S. Department of Defense.

It is highly recommended that companies seek the advice of experienced UID integrators. The company you choose should be trustworthy and should have sound knowledge about the UID registry and MIL STD 130 specifications. ID Integration, Inc. offers a full range of UID solutions for successful compliance. These integration experts can help their clients to craft thoughtful, effective UID marking, tracking, and testing solutions that noy only ensure full compliance, but also help most manufacturers to increase productivity while reducing expenses through less waste, or scrap, and improve overall end-user safety. To learn more about the UID registry and MIL STD 130 please visit ID Integration, Inc. online at http://www.id-integration.com/uid-marking.htm.

How UID Registration Helps?

UID compliance is a major issue for the suppliers of the U.S. Army. If their products fail to fulfill UID compliance then they can suffer rejection from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Therefore, suppliers and contractors of the US Army and other military offices’ must be quite serious about the unique identification markings of their products.

Now before learning about the complex specifications of MIL STD 130 that provide the guidelines for UID compliance, one should know how exactly UID registration works. According to DoD instructions, a contractor is required to submit UID compliance details about their products to the DoD’s UID registry. Almost every item that the military buys or owns requires its own UID marking, or tag. So, the details about all these products must be submitted to the UID registry. MIL STD 130 gives instructions and provides the rules and regulations that are to be followed by the contractors to fulfill UID compliance. The procedure is followed under strict inspection and in case any products fail to verify UID numbers they are immediately refused.

The UID registry actually works as a knowledge-base where all tracked data about equipment, parts, and other supplies that have been purchased, transferred, stored, or sold so that the authority can access this data at any time. Now, the question is why is this data so necessary for the Army? Well the answer is simple, the data stored at the UID registry helps to track products individually. In fact, one can quickly access the basic information of any product that the Army is using. They can track the manufacturers and important maintenance of various products. This kind of rigorous identification also gives the products more integrity. This database helps to improve safety and increase security for all government assets.

The UID registry also assists in the authentication process. It not only stores important data about these assets, but also keeps a record of the suppliers or government contractors. So, from the UID registry, management can quickly access every detail about the contractors concerned and the products supplied. The UID registry helps significantly with the military auditing process, too. Compliance and submission to the UID registry and the many rules and regulations specified by MIL STD 130 guidelines actually improve the quality output of a company’s production. MIL STD 130 also provides the full specifications to determine the materials, and the marking process of all UID marking or labeling.

If you are a regular supplier of the Army then you are bound to follow the instructions that MIL STD 130 requires, otherwise your contracts may face rejection. However, today, there are companies that can relieve you from MIL STD 130 tension. You can ask for their help to ensure the full success of your manufacturing process. For many manufacturers, it is probably the smartest way to ensure UID compliance of your products. To learn more about MIL STD 130 and the UID registry you can visit: http://www.id-integration.com/uid-marking.htm.

Unique Identification: Some Facts to Know

Security is a major factor for the U.S. Army. That is why the US Army has established a very efficient identification program for all property that it owns and manages, as well as for all the supplies that it requires. This program, known by most professionals as a UID program, is a highly effective item unique identification program. Certain rules have been formulated to mandate this process and today all products, supplies, and parts used by various offices of the U.S. Department of Defense are required to contain compliant UID markings. Complete explanations of these processes and their requirements are available within current MIL STD 130 guidelines. According to MIL STD 130, all property and supplies owned by the U.S. Department of Defense; including those items stocked, purchased, manufactured, and transported must possess a permanent and compliant UID marking.

This UID mark not only enhances basic traceability of supplies and assets, it also improves the ability to manage overall security and safety. Every product a contractor supplies to the DoD must fulfill UID compliance; meaning that the products must contain UID markings. In addition to possessing the UID mark or tag, there are very specific guidelines supplied for compliant nomenclature. Complete requirements are outlined in MIL STD 130 guidelines.

According to MIL STD 130 every product should have a label that will display its UID number and manufacturing data. This identification is also required to be permanent and able to endure harsh environmental conditions and weathering. Today’s UID labels are required to be long lasting and durable – in fact, these markings are required to sustain the full lifetime or maintenance cycle of a given product. Most manufacturers prefer to either mark MIL STD 130 compliant identification directly onto the part in question, or affix a permanent metal or plastic tag to an item.

If you are an entrepreneur who depends solely on business with the Army, then you are required to be very serious about the UID compliance of your products. If the rules and regulations of MIL STD 130 seem to be pretty difficult and complex you may wish to seek the help of an experienced ID solutions provider such as ID integration, Inc. They will provide you expert interpretation of these rules and regulations for MIL STD 130 compliance. They will also make sure that all your products fulfill demands of the requirements of MIL STD 130 compliance. Getting the right help, is an easy way to greatly reduce your stress regarding UID compliance. To gather more knowledge on UID and MIL STD 130 you should visit: http://www.id-integration.com/uid-marking.htm. ID Integration, Inc. offers a wide range of identification solutions to help you meet compliance and also streamline production processes while improving profit through efficiency.

UID & MIL SPEC 130: Know the Facts

A UID, or item unique identification, is an endeavour to manage the supplies that the U.S. Army receives. It stands for unique identity and tries to make all transactions, distribution, and maintenance of various products easily traceable. Therefore, UID compliance is a requirement for all the suppliers of the U.S. Army. Now, with such a system in place, there are also many guidelines that explain these processes; including MIL SPEC 130 and MIL-STD-130. As directed by the Department of Defense (DoD) all suppliers are required to comply with UID standards when manufacturing products or parts for use by the U.S. Government. Because these UID requirements have a big impact on security, the U.S. DoD follows MIL SPEC 130 guidelines quite strictly. These MIL SPEC 130 specifications apply to any items that are purchased, issued, manufactured, or transported by the U.S. Military.

Almost every product that the Army controls requires unique identification numbers, except for those items, which already contains item unique identification such as the VIN and serial numbers on most vehicles and cell phones, for example. MIL SPEC 130 also specifies the way that the UID is to be applied on the products. They specify the materials and the approved methods for marking this UID information on a variety of products. Most often, MIL SPEC 130 instructs contractors to use unique identification number plates of durable materials for permanent tagging. The guidelines advise these suppliers to use strong metal plates, or stiff plastic UID tags that will withstand harsh conditions and weathering. Some manufacturers prefer to mark this information directly onto the part saving on consumables costs. Today, there are many proven marking methods that are capable of meeting compliance; including YAG laser marking, programmable indenting equipment, and even permanent inkjet printers that can be installed directly onto production lines for efficient and automated marking.

Durability of marked information is of primary importance for UID compliance and it’s well understood that these markings or tags are required to remain legible throughout the full lifetime of every part and product. The UID plates have to outlast the products, and they are also required to survive extreme weather conditions. Mil spec 130 also directs the suppliers to attach the unique identification number plates in the place where they are most likely to be seen.

UID marking is mandatory for all contractors and suppliers of the U.S. Department of Defense. If manufactured, or distributed, products fail to fulfill this unique identification compliance then they may face rejection and the eventual loss of valuable Government contracts. Therefore, every DoD supplier should take the issue of UID compliance seriously. For expert assistance, visit the experienced professionals at ID Integration, Inc. These integration experts can quickly advise you for complete MIL SPEC 130 compliance and can complete your UID solution in a manner that helps to increase production, decrease errors, and streamlines your manufacturing processes. Learn about unique item identification and MIL SPEC 130 by visiting ID Integration, Inc. online at, http://www.id-integration.com/docs/specs/UID_Basics_101.pdf.