This is the first post of our three-part series that focuses on the history of UID, the current state of the mandate, and what to expect for the future. Part I covers the history of UID and MIL-STD-130. Department of Defense (DoD) Item Unique Identification (IUID) at a Glance DoD policies

This is the second post of our three-part series that focuses on the history of UID, the current state of the mandate, and what to expect for the future. Part II covers the current status of UID and MIL-STD-130. For more information, click the link for Part I. Emergence of the Co

Today, many corporations have supply chain management staff with general business education. But as the supply chain becomes an increasingly critical component to efficient and lean operations, more universities are offering opportunities for a more targeted education in supply management and s

This is the third post of our three-part series that focuses on the history of UID, the current state of the mandate, and what to expect for the future. Part III highlights the future of UID and MIL-STD-130. For more information, click the links for Part I and Part II. The IUID Vision Going For

Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a change to MIL-STD-130. Published on November 16, 2012, MIL-STD-130 N Change 1 is the latest version of the standard. Below is an overview to help you better understand the change to this standard. This change establishes direct and sp

Asset Tracking Using Asset Tags and Asset Labels One of the primary advantages of using asset tags is increased productivity, often encompassing all facets of your organization – and, it’s a benefit that extends across all industries. If you’re wondering if asset tags can enhance your com

If you think asset tags and asset tracking are only for large corporations and major industry players, you’re not alone. Many small business owners don’t consider asset tags as a viable solution, thinking that the upfront investment is too significant for a small entity. But what ma

Disruptions in the supply chain have far-reaching consequences. A single supply chain disruption spurs a domino effect, gradually impacting businesses along the path—all the way to the shareholders. In fact, a recent report from the World Economic Forum estimates that supply chain disruptions c

One of our customers is a brewery that has been making barrel-aged craft beer in its Bend, Oregon facility for more than 25 years. It has since grown to one of the largest breweries in the United States. To keep the pace and continue to provide award-winning beers, the brewery needed to impleme

Warehouses play a key role in a number of other industries, including e-commerce, retail, grocery and other more specific industry segments. Increased efficiency on the warehouse end can mean lower costs to other industries, which in turn increases customer count and boosts the bottom line. A c

Think asset tags and asset labels can’t benefit the utility industry? Think again. Utility meter tags, utility pole tags and bar code labels can provide the foundation for improved efficiency. Reduce the need for manual processes It’s long been known that manual processes take longer and are le

DistribuTECH is an annual conference on power transmission for the utility industry, produced by Pennwell Publishing. Approximately 53 countries were represented at this year’s conference, held in January 2013. Reports indicate a clear theme emerged from this year’s conference: Interoperability

There is value in Item Unique Identification (IUID) beyond simple compliance with Mil-Std-130. Utilizing UID Labels, organizations can improve asset tracking of items, comply with International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements, and easily manage check-in/check-out procedures.

I’ve had a number of inquires about the UID Forum and have heard lots of rumors.  One such rumor is that “DoD decided to kill the UID Forum” or the “DoD doesn’t care about UID anymore”.  That simply is not the case!  So I thought this was a grea

For schools, colleges and universities, “next year” is right around the corner. Though most schools are still finishing up the academic year, it’s never too early to start planning for the upcoming school year. Asset management is one area that needs early attention. A 2007 study es

The energy transition is happening—there’s no doubt about that. And utility companies are at the forefront, tasked with providing ample services while cutting costs and keeping the end consumer rate as low as possible. Clearly, this is no easy undertaking, as utility providers are faced w

Time and money are two of the most precious assets any business has to work with. Without enough time, it’s impossible to get all the tasks completed that are necessary to keep the workflow moving. And without money, you can’t secure the assets you need to get the job done, hire the right peopl

Utility companies struggle to meet increased consumer demands in the face of skyrocketing costs, dated infrastructures and manpower challenges. There’s a constant pressure to do what you can while piecing together resources and assets to meet demands. But asset management can improve delivery,

With technological advances happening all around us, warehouses are seeking ways to use technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Technologies such as warehouse management systems can provide the foundation for dramatically enhanced productivity, as well as the ability to adap

The field of logistics is complex and constantly evolving, thanks to technology and innovations that aim to improve processes and enhance services. With hundreds—likely thousands—of companies serving the industry or providing ancillary services, it’s no surprise that a good logistics blog is a