Particularly in the present difficult economic time, every industrial organization needs to make use of cost saving techniques in order to reduce their production expenses. One cost effective business strategy is to maximize utilization of the company’s existing assets, rather than purchasing additional equipment. In order to do this effectively, an accurate and efficient asset management process must be employed. This will facilitate ease of tracking assets, as well as their current location and function. To operate a successful and profitable business, it is crucial to know:

• Where the company assets are,

• How these assets are being utilized, and

• How they are being maintained.

Most industries have found a solution in UID labels. In fact, property identification through the use of unique identification labels is the primary solution employed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to track of government and industrial assets used throughout the department. Use of UID labels helps the DoD manage asset storage, location and transfers, and maintenance more efficiently. The process reduces wasted time that can occur due to inefficient processes, thereby saving tax-payer dollars.

The DoD requires UID labels to meet certain standards. MIL STD 130 details marking regulations put forth by the DoD. The strict guidelines are imposed on these labels to maintain uniformity across the program, and to maintain a minimum level of quality of formatting, style, printing, marking illumination, and so on. In addition to standards relating to the creation of labels, MIL STD 130 also specifies the way in which they’ll be read. For example, UID data must be electronically readable by special 2D scanners. Apart from the basic required information like EID codes, lot number or serial number, and a part identification number (PIN), MRI data contains item specification, expiration date and some prior labeling information. The labels are designed to withstand harsh environments and weathering - and are intended to last for the entire lifespan of a product. MIL STD 130 describes very specific marking methodologies and quality assurance procedures in order to ensure the quality and uniformity of these identification codes. The quality assurance process includes profile verification, data validation, and print quality checking. Quality assurance checks should be followed regardless of the method used for printing the labels – whether it be laser printing, chemical etching, dot peen, or ink jet.

ID Integration can help you create labels that comply with DOD standards. Visit www.uid2go.com to learn more about the services they provide.

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