The Basics of MIL-STD-130N

MIL-STD-130N may stand for military standard number 130 section N, but if the name suggests unnecessary complexity, the body of the MIL-STD-130N will exceed expectations. MIL-STD-130N is a five page document developed by the Department of Defense which goes into extraordinary depth about the nature and content of labels and markings on items ranging from boxes of Cheerios to stocks of M16 rifles. Actually, M16 rifle wouldn't be nearly specific enough to qualify as an acceptable IUID (Item Unique Identification) by the standards of MIL-STD-130N. These labels apply to anything that might pass through anybody administered by the Department of Defense, or nearly everything.
The nature of tags, plates, labels, and bands, according to MIL-STD-130N, should be hard plastic of metal, preferably with MRI, or Machine Readable Information, marked clearly in an easily accessible location. Additionally, the tag, plate, label, or band will need a slew of numbers, including but not limited to lot numbers, batch numbers, PINs, and UIIs (Unique Item Identifiers) so that the Department of Defense can tell one widgit from a different widgit of the exact same type. For items too small to contain a reasonable MRI or proper IUID (Item Unique Identification), there are specific and copious rules on how small the writing can be, exactly what information to put at the minimum, and where to put information if it just won't fit.
In the MIL-STD-130N document, this summary has covered about a page and a half. In the following three and a half pages, MIL-STD-130N continues in excruciating detail about individual organizations with independent marking systems and whether these systems constitute an appropriate IUID and if not how they can be made to conform. Most people would probably be better off visiting the good folks at ID-Integration, who will help with all of this kind of stuff.

UID Registry - What is It?

The term UID registry is used by the Department of Defense (DoD) and those that work with the department of defense. The UID registry is a way of indentifying and classifying items used by the DoD. In simple terms it can be defined as a way of identifying and controlling parts and assets used by the military. The UID registry allows the military to have better control of those assets and is better able to perform any necessary audits.
The UID registry regulations stipulate that items sold to the Department of Defense have to be marked with a 2 dimensional number that is non erasable. These markings are made to be machine readable. The reason, so that human error is reduced.

Through the use of the UID registry the acquisition of products is done much more efficiently, and the inventory control has also been improved. This makes it much easier for the DoD to make payment to providers at the specified time. Currently it is required that any defense providers be in compliance with the UID registry.
This registry was first introduced by the Defense department in 2004, and now it is this registry that keeps all the information about the DoD assets, future assets, and past. The UID registry keeps all the data and helps the Defense department keep track of items that are arriving, are depleted, and need to be replaced. This new system allows personnel to easily track an item across the nation and even in other countries. All records can be easily accessed even when a product is no longer in use. The UID registry keeps data such as manufacturer, acquisition date, and even repair information.

Providers must submit information to the UID registry, so that it can easily be managed by Defense personnel. It is important that this submission process begin early on and that all data entered be correct. The registry will require information like, part number, serial number, enterprise code, among other information.
As with most military acquisition processes, there is a certain way the data must be submitted and contractors must follow procedures to be accepted.

The data needs to be converted to XML format before being accepted into the UID Registry, however, all external files need to be modified to the UID registry requirements before being changed over to XML format.
There are specific formats available from the UID registry personnel which go over the process for contractors. Following this process the data is submitted for UID testing and for approval in the UID registry.

The approval process can be seen at the UID registry website, and if all information has been submitted according to the DoD requirements then it should be approved.