Mil-Std-129 - ID-Integration the company for Barcode Identification Systems

Identifying equipment and supplies for storage and shipment is essential for those companies with military contracts. Mil-Std-129 is the standard necessary to define those requirements to insure that all markings are readily identifiable with a code that is unique and uniform for asset management.
The definition of the Department of Defense Unique Identification program is:

The tangible data set that is unique and unmistakable that ensures integrity and quality throughout the life of an asset while supporting multi-faceted business applications and users.
Implementing the Unique Identification (UID) policy in support of the Department of Defense (DoD) mission and interpretation of Mil-Std-129 can be overwhelming.

Barcode Identification Systems selection:
The requirements of Mil-Std-129 make the decision for which company creates this system very important. Having an education system in place to inform customers and keep them updated on policy changes is essential. ID-Integration is the company that will guide a business through the regulatory environment, the policy, implementation, business rules, and changes while implementing Mil-Std-129.

Regulatory Environment
Complying with the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 started the ongoing solution for addressing the problems facing Federal programs involving inventory and operation readiness. Federal agencies were challenged to provide useful, reliable and timely inventory data and the Unique Identification Program was the solution.

To keep up with the needs of management systems the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 was passed. The purpose was to accentuate a management style that would align performance with the organizational goals which would reduce costs and encourage responsibility while improving financial management. Mil-Std-129 was a vehicle to help achieve these goals. The Mil-Std-129 defines how and when to use these Unique Identifications.

The Policy
Total asset visibility is a program designed to improve the ability of Logisticians and managers to obtain information of the location, quantity, condition, and movement of assets through logistic programs. Mil-Std-129 defines how equipment and supplies are labeled for a seamless flow and complete visibility. Visibility of the Military's existing assets is critical to track material, maintain accurate records and provide timely information to those who have a need.

During the operations of Desert Shield and Desert Storm asset identification became problematic. Because of a lack for visibility of the contents, thousands of containers had to be opened manually inventoried and resealed, then reinserted into the system. This was a huge undertaking and considerable time was lost in the effort.
Since then the requirements of Mil-Std-129 has enabled existing assets to be more visible making a dramatic impact on Military logistics.

Details of Mil-std-129 and Mil-Std-130 requirements are complicated. Experts at ID-Integration have many experts in this field. Education information and product information for UID Scanners/UID Imagers are available at ID-Integration helping to make it easier to deal with military standard compliant labels.
Contact information is at http://www.id-integration.com.

MIL-STD-130 Compliant UID Scanners

The Unique Item Identification or UID Scanner is ideal for reading labels that have been marked with unique barcodes and cannot be read by any other device. The UID is a standard introduced by the Department of Defense that requires assets to have a unique and universal mark of identification. The DoD requires the use of UID labels that enables it to separate one item from the other and easily keep track and record of various items. The labels contain a 2D matrix system barcode that contains the item’s part number and its serial number that can only be read by a UID Scanner.

For the UID label to be authorized, it has to meet MIL-STD-130 specifications and standards that are approved by the Department of Defense. Items having this standard are identified as UID certified and their markings can be distinguished from other items markings. In accordance with the MIL-STD-130 spec, items marked with the unique code can only be read by use of a UID Scanner.

Using the Automated Identification Technology or AIT, the UID scanner helps in decoding of the UID data elements that are imprinted on the UID labels. As it decodes and derives data elements from the UID, the scanner identifies each of the data elements, which are then introduced to the UID scanner alongside the items prefixes. The data prefixes are utilized in form of numeric Application Identifiers or AI, alphanumeric Data Identifiers or DI and the Text Element Identifiers or the TEI.

For the label to be read by the scanner, it has to meet the standards as set out by the MIL-STD-130 spec. The standard requires that the label should in no way damage or cause harm to the item. In addition, the materials used for designing the labels should be durable and not easily affected by adverse weather conditions, sunlight and chemicals among others. To ensure the UID markings are read by the UID scanner they have to comply with the standards set out by the MIL-STD-130 spec. To get more information and expert advice on the UID and types of scanners to use, consult experts at ID-Integration.

Understanding and simplifying MIL STD 130

What is MIL STD 130?

MIL STD 130 is the set of standards that the Department of Defense is using to mark, identify, and track military property. Various specifications and standards are consolidated into MIL STD 130, and if any conflicts with any other documentation arise, MIL STD 130 takes precedence. Any items that already have unique identification such as a serial number are generally excluded from MIL STD 130.

What is required for MIL STD 130 certification?

Items must be marked with either a stiff metal band that includes an identification number or a marking applied directly to the item itself. The marking should be able to survive the life of the item, including any necessary cleaning and rebuilding, and should be visible during normal use if at all possible. Every attempt should be made for the item identification to be a machine readable identification (MRI), and in the even that there is not enough room on the item for the full ID, then the most essential information should be marked. Various guidelines as to text size and font are also included in MIL STD 130, and many different industry specific guidelines also apply.

What should be included in an MRI?

There are various specifications involved in marking an item with an MRI ranging from amount of data required to the quality of the marking itself. Even the arrangement of the MRI is specific in order to assist the machines in reading the identification codes. The MRI will also be updated with any maintenance or repair performed, as well as information regarding warranties, repair facilities, dates of repair, and other data.

How to simplify things

With all of the various information that MIL STD 130 requires, it is generally best to leave the identification process to those with proven methods and standards. The experts at ID-Integration know MIL STD 130 by heart so you don't have to.

The easiest way to decipher the MIL-STD-130N UID standards

Inventory and inventory tracking are a serious matter to any business, and the Department of Defense (DoD) is no different. The MIL-STD-130N is, essentially, a set of DoD standards that determine requirements and methods used for marking, identification and tracking of military property. Each item being tracked must carry a Unique Identification or UID. These standards apply to any property that is produced, issued or stored by or for the Department of Defense.

All items must carry some form of UID, whether it is an applied mark or an existing UID such as an electronic serial number or Vehicle Identification Number on a car. Whenever possible, Machine Readable Identification (MRI) or “barcodes” are the preferred form of UID. Regardless of the method used, numerous specifications cover the specifics of the type of UID, placement and information contained. Some of these standard specified criteria are:

• The type of material that the UID mark is applied to
• The method used to secure the UID marking to the item
• The location of the UID mark
• The visibility of the UID mark
• Permanency of the UID mark throughout the life expectancy of the item
• Ability of the UID mark to withstand environmental conditions
• The ability of the UID mark to withstand maintenance

The regulations regarding UID markings are also extremely specific. For instance the text size for a human readable marking must be 0.2 centimeters or 0.08 inches. All of the letters of the text must be in a sans-serif font and numbers should be in Arabic. The exception to this rule is the usage of Roman numerals, in which case you must turn to other documentation to determine what type of font to use. Text markings are also limited to 50 characters and should use the Data Matrix EEC 200 symbol using ISO/IEC 15418 semantics and ISO/IEC 15434 syntax, unless they are subject to DFARS mandated markings.

To cover all of the standards and regulations here would be an exhaustive process for both reader and writer. Suffice it to say that for the uninitiated, digging through the specifications of the MIL-STD-130N and its attached documentation to determine the correct marking for a product is a nightmare.

This is where ID-Integration steps in to save the day. Fortunately for us, the experts there live and breathe the MIL-STD-130N each day. Let them handle the tedious task of digging through the MIL-STD-130N to determine the nomenclature used, how tall it should be, whether it should be on metal or plastic and whether or not it should be a tag, label, band or plate. They’ll do what they do well and give you the opportunity to get on with doing what you do well.

How IUID Simplifies Inventory Management

How would you keep track of your possessions if they were spread across the Earth? The US Department of Defense (DoD) deals with this problem every day, and thus developed a set of standards for tracking their massive inventory. MIL-STD-130N, released on December 17, 2007, takes advantage of recent advances in barcode technology to ensure that their entire inventory uses Item Unique Identification (IUID).

IUID allows for better inventory control because each individual product is accounted for. Even individual parts used to assemble a finished product are accounted for during manufacturing, greatly minimizing the risk of loss. Though many products need tagging to fulfill IUID requirements, several industries already utilize IUID concepts. For example, every automobile has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and thus a unique identifier, already. Products ranging from cellphones to firearms come with the idea of IUID built right into their serial numbers.

However, several products lack such careful cataloging. These require tagging with a method that will remain durable throughout the life-cycle of the item. Metal or stiff plastic plates take precedence over flimsier label materials. Stamping or etching the tag directly onto the item offers an even more durable solution. Some items, such as ball bearings, elude any of these methods. In these cases, it's acceptable to tag the item's packaging with the IUID instead. In the past, humans would need to read this tag, but these days computers have taken over much of the information processing responsibility.

Machine Readable Information (MRI) used to be encoded in linear barcodes, like the kind found on everyday consumer goods. Though still acceptable under MIL-STD-130N, linear barcodes have fallen into disuse in favor of two-dimensional barcodes. 1s and 0s are represented by black and white squares, which are then arranged into a larger square. This method offers numerous advantages, chiefly that large amounts of data can be packed into an incredibly small space. Currently, up to 50 characters will fit in the space of 3 square millimeters. This comes in handy since an item's tag grows with its history.

In addition to its IUID, each item's tag tells its story, identifying who has designed, manufactured, and repaired the item throughout its lifetime. Even items not requiring an IUID require this tracking information. In a way, these life stories become an IUID in and of themselves as items journey down their own unique paths. Still, giving each item an IUID right as it rolls off the line, like giving each baby born in the US a social security number, allows for easy cataloging before such life stories develop.

IUID concerns are far more complicated than the brief summary given here. For more information visit ID-Integration at http://www.id-integration.com

UID Registry: Uncover The Significance of UID Registry to DOD

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has attempted to increase its data quality, accuracy and visibility with the Unique Identifier (UID) registry. On July 29, 2003, Acting Under Secretary of Defense Michael Wynne stated that the goal of the UID system was to assist in DoD item tracking and asset management. The UID registry is the database storage area for all tangible items that make up the barcode identification system for military property.

The UID registry is the storage repository for military property with barcode markings. This system enables the DoD to track, update and record important information related to the these items. If a product recall were to occur, the UID registry could be used for replacement of defective equipment.

Just like many large organizations, the DoD runs numerous software and hardware platforms. The UID registry is a central clearing house to ensure standardization of data across all computing systems. The Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) maintains the UID registry.

Barcode markings permit the DoD to track equipment, so they will always know its whereabouts. Updates can be made to database records; administrators can perform useful queries and searches based on the data components of the UID: type, contract and Issuing Agency Code (IAC). Other data components, like the unit acquisition cost, can be used in accounting documents for DoD financial management.

UID Registry Purpose

The UID registry permits consolidation of equipment data for DoD purposes. This government classification system has been gradually built up over time by requiring different vendor numbers for government contractors involved in military procurement. The UID registry attempts to create one key database for storage of item information in order to streamline the government contractor registration system.

Standardization across the entire DoD government procurement system is established by the UID registry, which will lead to improved item, finance and asset management. Auditing checks can be performed more easily with this uniform system. Military property, spread across the entire world, can be made more tangible with the UID registry.

UID Registry Importance

Accountants can update financial depreciation records with the lifecycle management tool - the UID registry. In the end, the UID registry should lead to reduced costs (improved financial management), due to a better understanding and more efficient approach to long-term inventory management.

The UID registry is vital to keeping track of DoD property, allowing for modification of data to achieve information management goals. It makes equipment location more tangible for DoD personnel who can ensure better data integrity, accuracy and quality.

The UID registry is a final storage area for the DoD barcode identification system, which allows for better data verification. It increases the reliability of data on military property that is used throughout the world.

Understanding MIL-STD-130

In December of 2007, the Department of Defense released an update to MIL-STD-130, the regulation governing the proper labeling of items in the military's inventory. This important set of standards ensures the efficient tracking and cataloging of every product and piece of equipment belonging to the United States government. By understanding a little background of this standard, you can ensure compliance with this important governing regulation.

First, it is important to understand that this regulation is constantly updated. Though the latest version of MIL-STD-130 was released on 17 December 2007, the previous version was released only two years earlier. This reflects the response of the Department of Defense to new technology, so understanding the emphasis and reasoning behind MIL-STD-130 is important to be prepared for its next iteration.

MIL-STD-130 is a specification of standardization already happening in the global marketplace. The regulation builds upon, and at times uses, standards and requirements from the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, and the International Electro technical Commission, or IEC. The ISO/IEC guidelines help streamline and codify the unique labeling of all products, and MIL-STD-130 goes further to customize these standards for its own use. This reflects a realization by the DoD that rigorous standards are necessary now to ensure organization of millions of items in the future. MIL-STD-130 represents the continuing effort to incorporate this thinking into its procurement process.

Though MIL-STD-130 is demanding, it is also accommodating. The most recent update, called MIL-STD-130N, allows for several technologies to be employed in the process of marking items with a Unique Identification code, or UID. The first is a more traditional UID nameplate that meets specific criteria in text and location in order to organize items in the inventory. The second kind of UID marking is Machine Readable Identification, or MRI. There are two major kinds of MRI: barcode and data matrix. Barcodes are familiar to most consumers today, as they are present on just about all kinds of goods. Data matrix labels are used most recognizably by shipping companies, and these matrices hold a multitude of information as well. They use a square field of smaller black and white squares to code information.

For suppliers, understanding the technology and the code of the UID labels is essential to compliance. First, suppliers must allow for space for the various kinds of UID markings, since readability is a requirement of MIL-STD-130. Additionally, the Part Identification Number, or PIN, of a product must be considered to allow easy integration into the standards of MIL-STD-130.

Understanding MIL-STD-130 requires familiarity and experience with its implementation. ID-Integration is a leader in this field, having created various kinds of UID labels for use in DoD applications. The basics are important to understand, but the specifics of MIL-STD-130 are essential, and no one knows them better than ID-Integration.

IUID Marking Within the Department of Defense

In order to keep track of the wide variety of equipment produced, issued, and possessed by the military, the Department of Defense adheres to an identification standard known as MIL-STD-130N. One of the most important functions of this standard is the notation of requirements for proper IUID marking (Item Unique Identification), which grants every single item its own identity and history. Even items that are identical in production will have a unique number, setting them apart as specific and separate entities. This assigned identification will never be changed, and a suitable IUID marking ensures that this identity remains with the item.

One important set of requirements within the MIL-STD-130N details the appropriate location for applying an IUID marking to a piece of military equipment. First of all, the label must be easily visible and accessible during the item’s normal usage, and should remain so for the entire lifespan of the item. The IUID marking should be placed on a sturdy metal or plastic piece which can be attached to the item or even directly on the item itself when appropriate. This mark must also be sustainable throughout any repairs or cleaning the item might regularly go through. If there is no available space for such an IUID marking to be positioned, one may be placed on the actual packaging of the item.

While some instances allow for a text-based marking which would be readable by a human, the preferred form of IUID marking is the MRI (Machine Readable Information). A standard known as MH10.8.7 is followed when making MRI marks unless a partner association (such as NASA) follows its own marking protocol which is supported by the Department of Defense.

MIL-STD-130N also specifies the particular information which an MRI provides. An IUID marking must contain an EID (Enterprise Identifier) of the issuing organization or activity, a unique serial number, and the PIN (Part or Identifying Number) or batch number of the item.

In order to ensure the proficiency of the MRI system, the Department of Defense additionally denotes certain requirements towards the quality of an IUID marking. The MIL-STD-130N references specific protocols for inspecting the quality of an MRI mark both as a linear bar code and as a data matrix symbol.

Considering both the quantity and nature of the equipment used by the Department of Defense, the necessity of proper identification and tracking of these items is paramount. For this reason, such explicit standards as the MIL-STD-130N are required for the placement, information, and quality of any IUID markings within this system. However, this explanation has only touched the surface of what is clearly a complicated subject, and those seeking further information should turn to the experts at ID-Integration.