UID

The 'UID' program was initiated by the US Department of Defense in order to be able differentiate an individual item from all others and to provide better accountability, valuation and life cycle management for all items it takes title of.

Using 2D Data Matrix technology unique identification of items provides the Department the opportunity to:

• Improve the acquisition of equipment and performance based logistic services
• Capture accurate and reliable data on items for equipment, repairs and consumables
• Improve life cycle asset management
• Track items in the Department and industry systems for operational, logistic and financial accountability

As of 1st January 2004 any Company supplying, directly or indirectly, the DoD has had to comply with this mandate by establishing processes and applying a UII 'Unique Item Identifier' on items.

The US DoD requires that accountability records be established for all property, plant and equipment with a unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, and items that are sensitive or classified, or items furnished to third parties, regardless of acquisition cost. Property records and/or systems are to provide a complete trail of all transactions, suitable for audit.

A delivered item to the DoD may be composed of embedded items, such as subassemblies, components or parts. The complete item will have one 'UII' “Unique Item Identifier” but the prime will have to manage and deliver a list of all the UIIs that make up the complete item. Similarly suppliers to the prime have to manage all the UIIs for their subassemblies, components or parts.

An alternative commercial identifier can be used for use as a DoD IUID equivalent if it meets these strict criteria:

1. it contains an enterprise identifier
2. it uniquely identifies an item within an enterprise identifier, product or part, lot or batch number
3. it must have an existing Data Identifier 'DI' or Application identifier 'AI' listed in ANSI MH10.8.2, Data Identifier and Application Identifier

The DoD recognise four commercial unique identifiers that comply:

• EAN.UCC Global Asset Identifier 'GIAI' for serially managed items
• EAN.UCC Global Returnable Asset Identifier 'GRAI' for returnable assets
• ISO Vehicle Identification Number 'VIN' for vehicles
• Electronic Serial Number 'ESN' for mobile phones

Siemens (formerly Acuity CiMatrix), having invented the Data Matrix™ technology, have unrivalled experience and is a leading pioneer in the application, adoption and development of 2D Data Matrix coding and the UID program.

Take a look at the 2D development projects that Siemens have been involved in...

Take a look at the Siemens sponsored 2D development programs.

As Siemens' UK 'Technology Partner' V-viz are ideally placed to help and support you in complying with this UID program.

Data Matrix™ is a registered trademark of Siemens Acuity CiMatrix but is freely in the public domain for adoption and use.