Proposed Guidelines for the Use of RFID-Enabled Labels in Military Logistics: Recommendations for Revision of MIL-STD 129 were released in October 2004 by AIM, Inc, the global trade association for automatic identification and mobility.
"Although this document grew out of a request by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and reflects their requirements, it contains a tremendous amount of good, practical information on the selection and use of RFID-enabled labels in the supply chain that is equally applicable to commercial logistics," says Clive Hohberger, PhD, of Zebra Technologies, the document''s lead editor.
Developed by AIM Global''s RFID Expert Group (REG), the document is the first of many guideline documents currently under development by the REG. According to the document''s scope statement, "The objective of this document is to provide background, reference information, and practical knowledge in the selection and application of ''RFID-enabled'' media -- that is, conventional labels, tickets, and tags with embedded or attached RFID transponders -- to the labeling of military goods and assets. This document does not address ''smart packaging'' where the transponder is embedded in the container itself."
Co-editor Bud Klein of Paxar said, "The REG is tackling tough implementation issues. One of the most important questions has been how to apply an RFID smart label so that it will be readable after transportation and movement through the supply chain." Klein added the caveat that, "While much of the work in the document is being proposed as additions to MIL-STD 129 and MIL-STD 130, it is not official DoD policy until published in a MIL-STD."
"The REG is now looking at developing a commercial version of guidelines for the use of RFID in the supply chain," adds Craig Harmon of QED Systems, who originally brought the REG together under the DoD umbrella. "There are a number of issues that need to be addressed for non-military applications of RFID in the supply chain, and now that this activity has moved outside the DoD, the REG needs a much broader and more international membership." The REG is soliciting participation by potential retail and commercial users from the global community. Those interested in actively participating in the REG should contact Harmon at harmon@ia.net.
According to AIM Global president Dan Mullen, "Increasing the international dialog about RFID implementation is a critical step. Because of the international nature of today''s supply chains, RFID is not a regional or national issue. We need to find global solutions and we can certainly benefit from the experience and expertise of companies around the world."
The document, available at no cost from AIM, may be downloaded at www.aimglobal.org/standards/changes/speceds.asp.